Democratic Party: Consensus on scaling back military service exemptions; ruling and opposition parties to discuss once government proposal is ready

[The Financial News] The Democratic Party of Korea said on the 8th that consensus had formed within the party on the need to scale back the military service exemption system, and that the ruling and opposition parties would discuss the matter once the government had prepared a proposal.
Kim Seong-hoe, the Democratic Party’s floor spokesperson, told reporters after a meeting on parliamentary audit preparations at the National Assembly that “everyone in the caucus agreed there were problems with the system” and “there was also agreement within the caucus on scaling it back.”
The floor spokesperson said, “Yesterday, the Ministry of National Defense said it was considering measures including reducing or abolishing the system, and lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties who raised questions reached the same consensus.” He added, “I expect the government to draw up a proposal, and the ruling and opposition parties will discuss it carefully.”
However, he drew a line on forming a party-level task force (TF), saying, “There hasn’t been any talk of going as far as forming a TF.” He added, “Since it was discussed in the standing committee yesterday, I think the party may state its position once those matters are sorted out.”
The floor spokesperson also said that a detailed briefing was expected on North Korea’s attempts to neutralize the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) during the National Assembly National Defense Committee’s audit of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that day.
He said, “The Joint Chiefs of Staff provided some information in a briefing late yesterday evening,” adding, “The JCS, which knows the relevant operational details best, said it had prepared a briefing for today.”
He added, “There will be a detailed briefing on when and how North Korea’s attempts to neutralize the MDL began and what methods were used,” and noted, “The principle is to brief behind closed doors, but I think we’ll be able to hear the details and share them with the media.”
Regarding negotiations on forming the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Ethics, he said, “We have put forward proposals for equal representation among the negotiating groups and for equal numbers from the ruling and opposition parties, and are urging the People Power Party to negotiate quickly.” He urged, “This isn’t stalled because there are no new options. We hope the People Power Party will agree to negotiate soon.”
On how to respond to Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae’s refusal to take the witness oath at the parliamentary audit, he said, “There has been no discussion on the matter,” adding, “Chief Justice Cho appeared in person and spoke, so the public and the media will judge.”

[email protected] Kim Kyung-min Reporter