Democratic Party Forms TF to Support Successful Gangneung ITS General Assembly; Promises KTX Expansion and Resolution of Local Issues

The Democratic Party of Korea resolved to establish a party-level task force (TF) for the successful hosting of the Gangneung ITS World Congress. This TF appointed Rep. Kim Young, who hails from Gangneung, as co-chair, and brought in Lee Don-tae, President of Lotte Group, as an external member. Through this, the party plans to strengthen practical cooperation for the successful progress of the ITS General Assembly, including support for unmanned autonomous vehicles.

Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok emphasized the significance of the TF's formation, stating, "We resolved to create a TF to support the success of ITS, didn't we?"

Discussions were held on establishing step-by-step measures to resolve the KTX expansion issue. The need to alleviate the bottleneck in the Cheongnyangni-Mangwoo section was highlighted, and the party expressed its intention to maintain or further expand temporary KTX services during vacation seasons until the GTX is opened in 2031. They plan to strive for improvements in regional transportation infrastructure by securing active support from the central government.

Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok expressed his commitment to the expansion, stating, "I would like to say that during that period, we will strive to maintain or further expand the currently increased temporary services during the summer vacation season, if unavoidable."

The Democratic Party appointed Jeon Young-ki (youth) and Kwon Bi-kyung (labor sector) as designated Supreme Council members. Concurrently, it announced that discussions would begin to revise the party constitution and rules to reflect youth and women quotas in the next national convention. This is part of an effort to incorporate diverse voices within the party and strengthen representation.

Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok stated, "Regarding institutional improvements, I would like to say that discussions will begin to revise the party rules so that youth and women can be fully reflected in the next national convention."

Differences in security perceptions between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the adjustment of ROK-US military exercises were revealed. While President Trump mentioned reducing ROK-US joint exercises, the Democratic Party criticized the People Power Party's response as 'hate speech.' The party emphasized that the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) is not a weakening of the ROK-US alliance but rather a strengthening of defense leadership, clarifying its stance on security issues.

Rep. Han Byung-do criticized the People Power Party, stating, "However, Jang Dong-hyuk, a representative of the People Power Party, continues to spout outrageous remarks, calling it 'denial of reality' and 'spiritual victory.'"

The party announced a change in the relationship between the central party and provincial party organizations, moving away from the past distinction between Seoul and other regions. Emphasizing the principle that "both Seoul and the provinces are on the ground," it declared the beginning of local-led politics fitting for local-led growth. This is interpreted as a commitment to strengthening the autonomy and role of local regions.

Rep. Huh Young emphasized, "Let's move beyond the concept that the central party is Seoul and provincial party organizations are local. Seoul is on the ground, and the provinces are on the ground. Let's begin local-led politics fitting for local-led growth."

Following the legalization of local committees, financial support was requested. The central party was urged to provide firm financial backing and support for office rentals, etc., so that local committees, as legalized organizations, can gain the trust of citizens with more substantial financial support. This was pointed out as an essential element for strengthening the capacity of local organizations.

Rep. Huh Young requested, "I ask that the central party provide firm financial support and support for office rentals and such, so that local committees can become more reliable organizations for citizens with more substantial financial backing as legalized organizations."

The promise to introduce a mandatory youth Supreme Council quota was reconfirmed. Acknowledging the shortcomings of discussions during the previous convention, Rep. Kim Min-seok's promise to revise the party constitution and rules to ensure a mandatory youth Supreme Council member in the next convention was emphasized. Rep. Choi Min-hee added that she would monitor to ensure this promise is kept.

Rep. Choi Min-hee stated, "Rep. Kim Min-seok promised to amend the party rules and regulations so that a youth Supreme Council member would be mandatorily allocated in subsequent conventions... Next time, since the representative promised that mandatory allocation would occur, I will make sure he keeps it, and I will monitor it."

A claim was made that the second phase of offensive drills in the Ulchi exercise was actually suspended. Rep. Park Sun-won mentioned that the Ulchi exercise had effectively stopped at midnight last night, emphasizing President Trump's intention to reduce joint exercises. Furthermore, he urged dialogue marking the 35th anniversary of North and South Korea's simultaneous UN entry (September 17th), stressing the need for improving inter-Korean relations.

Rep. Park Sun-won stated, "In this Ulchi exercise, only the first phase of defensive drills was completed, and the second phase, the offensive part, was suspended. In fact, the Ulchi exercise was suspended at 12 AM last night."

A call was made for the National Assembly to no longer delay taking serious political and ethical responsibility regarding Rep. Lee Jin-sook. It was urged that discussions on her expulsion should be expedited in relation to Rep. Lee Jin-sook's remarks concerning the May 18th Democratization Movement and controversy over her absence from voting. Furthermore, the passage of the National Assembly Act amendment related to the suspension of parliamentary membership was demanded, emphasizing the strengthening of the National Assembly's role.

The public demand for Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's resignation was made, urging him to take responsibility and step down to prevent further damage to the judiciary's authority. Issues such as the breaking of the customary prior consultation process for Supreme Court justice nominations and controversies over election interference and political neutrality were raised, hinting at the Democratic Party's consideration of impeachment proceedings.

A strong tone of criticism was raised, stating, "I clearly state this: The Chief Justice should no longer undermine the authority of the judiciary; take responsibility and step down yourself."

Following the death of a patient at Ulsan Defense Hospital, a call was made for reform of the mental hospital system. It was emphasized that the structure allowing people with developmental disabilities to be institutionalized in mental hospitals for long periods without receiving necessary activity support and care services in the community must be changed. This aims to fundamentally resolve the persistent problem of patient deaths in mental hospitals.

The importance of practical alternatives was highlighted, also mentioning the current status of the joint public-private patient transfer protection support group.

"The structure in which individuals with developmental disabilities are institutionalized in mental hospitals for long periods without receiving necessary activity support, care, and other social services in the community must be changed," he asserted, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of individuals with developmental disabilities.

A promise was made to attract an AI data center to Gangwon Province and support regional development. Alongside the passage of the Special Act on the Promotion of the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Industry (AITC Act), the party expressed its commitment to resolving power supply issues and the crisis of population decline. It aims to not only attract AI data centers but also link this to fostering related industries, such as talent development, to serve as a key to overcoming Gangneung's population decline crisis.

Supreme Council member Han Min-soo promised active involvement, stating, "I will also join in addressing power supply issues and beyond attracting AI data centers, linking it to fostering related industries, including talent development, so that it can become a key to overcoming Gangneung's population decline crisis."

A proposal was made to conduct a priority survey for utilizing idle military sites in border areas. The Lee Jae-myung administration was requested to make specific and realistic plans by conducting a fact-finding and demand survey of idle military sites in border areas, prioritizing them as the first solution for special compensation for special sacrifices. This is expected to contribute to improving the quality of life for local residents and revitalizing the local economy.

It was pointed out that next year's Gangneung by-election should be a turning point to address the Democratic Party's weaknesses. To overcome the absence of Democratic Party lawmakers in Gangwon Province and ensure that Gangwon residents experience genuine change in the general election two years from now, active support and efforts from the central party are needed. This is seen as a crucial strategy to strengthen the Democratic Party's foothold in the Gangwon region.

A joint TF was formed to prepare for the Gangneung ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) World Congress. Rep. Kim Moo-young and Lotte President Lee Do-tae will co-chair the TF, and during their next visit to Gangwon Province, they will receive a briefing on Gangneung's unmanned autonomous vehicle DRT (Demand-Responsive Transport System). This reflects the intention to discuss not only the successful hosting of the ITS Congress but also plans for infrastructure utilization after the event.

Ultimately, through the ITS World Congress, the goal is to lay the groundwork for Gangneung to leap forward as a future mobility hub and to continuously support the development of autonomous driving technology and related industries even after the event. This is also expected to contribute to regional economic revitalization and job creation.

The TF will strengthen practical cooperation, including support for unmanned autonomous vehicles, to ensure thorough preparation for the congress and will concretize Gangneung's autonomous driving status and future vision through the briefing.

Regarding the issue of Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, it was pointed out that it is an issue for the judiciary to be concerned about, not the National Assembly, and called for self-correction within the judiciary. The Supreme Court and judges were urged to take the lead in providing a solution that the public can understand regarding Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's improper conduct. This emphasized the meaning that the judiciary must uphold its independence and authority itself.

"We have this issue with Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae, but the fundamental problem is that this is not something for the National Assembly to be agitated about; it is for the judiciary. The Supreme Court and the judges should be agitated first and quickly provide a solution that the public can understand regarding Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae's improper conduct," he said, emphasizing the role of the judiciary.