S. Korea parliament begins 100-day regular parliamentary session amid COVID-19
Arirang News
2020-09-01
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코로나 속 21대 첫 정기국회 오늘 개막…100일간 예산•입법전쟁 개시
South Korea's 21st National Assembly was formed following the April general election which attracted the highest voter turnout in 28 years, despite being held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And on Tuesday, with even stricter quarantine measures in place, parliament kick-started its September regular session,...with the goal of easing the burden the public is feeling as a result of the national coronavirus crisis.
Lee Kyung-eun has the details.
Under South Korean constitutional law, it is the parliament's duty to open regular National Assembly sessions every September. And, even in the times of COVID-19, 2020 is no exception.
"The 21st National Assembly kick starts its regular session in the midst of a national emergency."
However, this year, the opening ceremony has been simplified,...and a new set of anti-virus measures have been put in place.
Such as the use of transparent dividers, separate microphones, and personal hand sanitizers.
No visitors were allowed inside and lawmakers kept their masks on while singing the national anthem, which was shortened to just the first verse.
Parliament imposed these ramped-up quarantine efforts after having to go through a three-day coronavirus-forced shutdown last week.
And because this year's September session kicks amid COVID-19, lawmakers hold even greater responsibility.
"We are running out of time. The parliament should create a "bridge" which people can use to pass through this "river" of crisis."
The speaker emphasized that the key tasks of the one-hundred day session should be to pass laws related to the pandemic and people's livelihoods.
Chief upon which will be to decide whether or not to provide a second round of emergency disaster relief funds.
Lawmakers will also debate over inter-Korean relations, boosting sectors within the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and shifting parliamentary procedures online.
"But to take action in a timely manner will require bipartisan cooperation.
A key question is whether the ruling Democratic Party's new leader Lee Nak-yon, who has friendly ties to the opposition leadership, can help make that happen.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News."
South Korea's 21st National Assembly was formed following the April general election which attracted the highest voter turnout in 28 years, despite being held in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
And on Tuesday, with even stricter quarantine measures in place, parliament kick-started its September regular session,...with the goal of easing the burden the public is feeling as a result of the national coronavirus crisis.
Lee Kyung-eun has the details.
Under South Korean constitutional law, it is the parliament's duty to open regular National Assembly sessions every September. And, even in the times of COVID-19, 2020 is no exception.
"The 21st National Assembly kick starts its regular session in the midst of a national emergency."
However, this year, the opening ceremony has been simplified,...and a new set of anti-virus measures have been put in place.
Such as the use of transparent dividers, separate microphones, and personal hand sanitizers.
No visitors were allowed inside and lawmakers kept their masks on while singing the national anthem, which was shortened to just the first verse.
Parliament imposed these ramped-up quarantine efforts after having to go through a three-day coronavirus-forced shutdown last week.
And because this year's September session kicks amid COVID-19, lawmakers hold even greater responsibility.
"We are running out of time. The parliament should create a "bridge" which people can use to pass through this "river" of crisis."
The speaker emphasized that the key tasks of the one-hundred day session should be to pass laws related to the pandemic and people's livelihoods.
Chief upon which will be to decide whether or not to provide a second round of emergency disaster relief funds.
Lawmakers will also debate over inter-Korean relations, boosting sectors within the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and shifting parliamentary procedures online.
"But to take action in a timely manner will require bipartisan cooperation.
A key question is whether the ruling Democratic Party's new leader Lee Nak-yon, who has friendly ties to the opposition leadership, can help make that happen.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News."
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