The ruling and opposition parties agreed on an amendment to the Government Organization Act, which includes upgrading the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and establishing the Office of Overseas Koreans.
On the 14th, along with the power of the people, the Democratic Party announced that it had decided to process the amendment to the Government Organization Act containing these contents at the extraordinary National Assembly in February through consultations on the ‘3+3 Policy Consultative Body’.
Seong Il-jong, chairman of the People’s Power Policy Committee, explained, “Both parties had no objection to the establishment of the Office of Overseas Koreans for the benefit of 7.5 million Koreans living abroad and upgrading the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs in order to honor and support veterans’ families.”
However, it was decided to discuss the issue of abolishing the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family through separate discussions later.
Chairman Seong added, “Regarding the Ministry of Leisure, there is no change in the policy of abolishing the power of the people, but the Democratic Party did not agree to this.”
The amendment to the Government Organization Act, which includes the upgrade of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the establishment of the Office of Overseas Koreans, will be submitted to the plenary session on the 24th following passing through the plenary meeting of the Public Administration and Security Committee on the 15th.
Reporter Lee Jung-soo
