The Ruling and Opposition Parties Fail to Reach Agreement

The Assembly's majority and minority leaders negotiated for a jointly-run economic hearing but failed to reach an agreement on January 19.
Minority Leader Lee Bu Yong proposed three conditions including an equal number of committee members but Han Hwa Gap, the majority leader, refused to compromise.
As a result of the failure, the ruling coalition plans to reopen the hearing on January 20. The opposition Grand National Party (GNP) also decided to hold an outdoor rally in Masan, South Kyongsang Province to protest the ruling coalition.
On the second day of the hearing, the Bank of Korea and Financial Supervisory Commission will provide their analysis and answer committee members' questions. Hanbo, Korea First Bank, Korea Development Bank, and Kia will report on January 21.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy will attend the hearing on January 22, followed by the Ministry of Information and Communications on January 23.