Closure of 20th Assembly

Lawmakers should work on essential bills before their term ends

The 20th National Assembly is nearing its end with an extraordinary session, which is ongoing after opening April 16, and is scheduled to end May 15, although lawmakers are supposed to serve until May 30. So it is little wonder that the session is progressing amid a dull atmosphere.

Few would dispute that the 20th Assembly was/is the worst parliament in history. The ruling and opposition parties clashed so fiercely that they even failed to amicably amend the Election Law, breaching a long-held tradition.

Four years ago, the rival parties vowed to make the Assembly function efficiently to serve the people. Yet their promises became an empty slogan. More than 15,000 bills remain stuck in the 20th parliament, meaning that only 36 out of 100 submitted bills have been dealt with. This is the lowest rate so far.

What is most disturbing is that a few bills essential to reactivating the sagging economy and promoting the industrial sector after the coronavirus crisis, including one promoting the services industry, are hardly under debate. Industrialists have long wanted these bills to be passed by the Assembly, but they are on the brink of being scrapped, overshadowed by political issues. They are destined to be thrown away automatically unless passed during the current session, at which point all procedures must begin again from scratch in the hands of the 21st Assembly.

Calling for a “Korean-style New Deal” in late April, President Moon Jae-in vowed to create jobs and boost growth once the virus is brought under control. But the legislature should work on lawmaking proactively over the simple promotion of policy. only when laws and institutions are overhauled properly, can economic players such as companies do something. Lawmakers should do their best, keeping in mind that their term has not yet finished. This is the least the 20th Assembly can do to regain a modicum of confidence from the public.