Jung Chung-rae Says Opposition Must First Clarify Its Position on TK Integration

[The Financial News] Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), on the 1st criticized the People Power Party, which had called for a meeting of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee to handle the Daegu–Gyeongbuk (TK) Administrative Integration Special Act, saying, "First decide your party line with one voice on whether you support or oppose the integration."
Speaking to reporters at Aunae Market in South Chungcheong Province, which he visited to mark March 1st Independence Movement Day, Jung said, "If the People Power Party supports the Daegu–Gyeongbuk integration, the DPK would have had no reason to oppose it." He continued, "The People Power Party is mired in internal division and infighting, wavering back and forth among themselves over whether they are for or against it. How can they push ahead with the Daegu–Gyeongbuk integration under such circumstances? I urge the People Power Party to first set a clear party line on the issue."
Jung also remarked, "What must the residents of metropolitan cities and provinces in Daegu–Gyeongbuk think when they see the lawmakers they elected hesitating and wavering like this?" He went on, "Perhaps this time they will break the unwritten rule that in Daegu–Gyeongbuk, even a stick will get elected." He added, "Instead of creating commotion and disorder over whether to stop the filibuster or not, I hope the People Power Party will clearly sort out and present its position."
On the same day, the People Power Party, which had been countering the amendment to the National Referendum Act with a filibuster, halted it and effectively pressed for the passage of the Daegu–Gyeongbuk Administrative Integration Special Act (TK Integration Act) by proposing to the DPK that the Legislation and Judiciary Committee be convened.
jiwon.song@fnnews.com Song Ji-won Reporter