Press Releases
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Secretary General attends the Autumn Plenary of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP)
Secretary General Kim Min-ki attends the Autumn Plenary of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP)- Held Oct. 14th to 16th in Geneva, Switzerland- Examined current issues among parliamentary secretariats and strategies for promoting public participation in parliamentary innovation- Views exchanged on practical cooperation with the IPU Secretary General, Deputy Secretary General of Thailand’s House of Representatives, and others- Plans to proceed to the UK for meetings with UK Parliament members and secretaries after the ASGP Assembly Secretary General of the Republic of Korea’s National Assembly Kim Min-ki attended the 2024 Autumn Assembly of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP), held from Oct 14 to 16 in Geneva, Switzerland. During the three-day event, he shared insights on current issues among parliamentary secretaries general worldwide and held discussions on innovation within parliaments and public involvement in direct democracy in parliament. while networking with parliamentary secretaries from other countries. Secretary General Kim also held discussions with Martin Chungong, Secretary General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and Steejit Taipiboonsuk, Deputy Secretary General of the Thai House of Representatives, to explore ways to bolster practical cooperation among parliamentary secretariats. During his meeting with IPU Secretary General Chungong, Kim shared examples from Korea’s National Assembly on supporting legislative activities with AI technology, while proposing greater IPU collaboration to assist parliaments in efficiently leveraging advanced technologies. Secretary General Chungong expressed his commitment to fostering close cooperation with South Korea on challenges such as adopting AI. In addition, Chungong referenced the historic role played by the meeting venue in past inter-Korean dialogues, while reaffirming his commitment to peace on the Korean Peninsula. In discussions with Thai House Deputy Secretary General Taipiboonsuk, Kim explored ways to expand parliamentary exchanges and cooperation between Korea and Thailand. Kim noted that the Thai House Speaker’s scheduled visit to Korea this November would strengthen high-level exchanges between the two countries, underscoring his commitment to fostering sustained cooperation between their legislative bodies. Commenting on his participation, Kim Min-ki remarked, “The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea will continue its efforts to enhance communication and cooperation among parliaments worldwide. Through this Plenary, we will strengthen our legislative capacity and foster innovative development within our parliamentary operations through international collaboration.” Following the ASGP Plenary, Secretary General Kim is scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom for a series of meetings with members and secretaries of the UK House of Commons and House of Lords to discuss strategies for strengthening bilateral parliamentary cooperation.
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NATV to expand live YouTube broadcasts of the 2024 National Assembly State Inspection
NATV to expand live YouTube broadcasts of the 2024 National Assembly State Inspection- Real-time streaming including regional audits in cities and provinces starts this year- Aims to enhance public access to the National Assembly’s key legislative activitiesNational Assembly Television (NATV) will expand its live YouTube broadcasts of the National Assembly’s 2024 state inspection, which will be carried out from October 7 to 25.This year, in addition to broadcasting the field inspections, NATV will provide real-time live streaming of regional audits conducted in six major cities and provinces, including Busan, Gwangju, Ulsan, North Chungcheong Province, North Gyeongsang Province, and South Jeolla Province.With up to 10 inspections streamed simultaneously in one day, public accessibility to the National Assembly’s legislative activities is expected to increase significantly. As a result, the number of live broadcasts of the National Assembly’s state inspections available via NATV or its YouTube channel will increase to 112 this year, from 105 last year.NATV’s broadcasts of National Assembly audits can be viewed through IPTV, cable TV, satellite TV, as well as OTT platforms (Wavve and TVING), the official NATV YouTube channel, and the Internet Broadcasting System of the National Assembly.
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Speaker Woo attends commemoration ceremony for 2nd Separated Families Day
Speaker Woo Won-shik attends commemoration ceremony for 2nd Separated Families Day- Speaker Woo recalls the reunion with his sister living in the North and asserts the issue of separated families unites the entire nation- Underscores the urgent need to resume reunions given the aging of separated families, and pledges efforts at the National Assembly level- Calls for a permanent system for family reunions and exchanges of letters and other forms of communication Speaker of the Republic of Korea’s National Assembly Woo Won-shik attended the ‘2nd Separated Families Day’ commemoration on Sept. 15 at the KBS Art Hall in Seoul. At the event Speaker Woo said, “I am also part of a separated family, with two of my sisters living in North Korea. In 2010, I was finally able to reunite with my eldest sister, accompanying my mother, who was the reunion program’s eldest participant. The meeting, which came after more than 60 years of separation — longer than half a century — lasted only three days. Sending off my sister on the bus back to the North, I tearfully realized the deep pain of a permanent separation.” He added, “Whenever we have witnessed family reunions, whether during the 1983 live broadcast of the ‘Search for Separated Families’ or during the inter-Korean family reunions, the entire nation wept together as people embraced their long-lost relatives. On the issue of separated families, we are all united as one.” Speaker Woo underscored, “Separation is neither something chosen nor a consequence of wrongdoing, and all of us in Korea understand this. For this reason, the political sector bears the responsibility of resolving the issue of separated families.” He continued: “It has already been more than six years since family reunions were suspended, and during that time more than 20,000 applicants have passed away while awaiting a reunion. Only about 37,000 registered separated family members remain alive, and about 85 percent of them are 70 years or older, so time is truly running out.” Speaker Woo stressed, “Family reunions should not be contingent upon any conditions from either side, nor should they be treated as one-time events. We need to establish a permanent system for family reunions, and if immediate reunions are not possible, then at least exchanges of letters and other communications should be resumed as early as possible.” “While political and military issues in inter-Korean relations should be handled by the government, humanitarian issues like separated families are matters in which civil society and the National Assembly must take the lead,” stated Woo, pledging to do everything in his power as Speaker to open a path forward to improving inter-Korean relations and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula. Separated Families Day is a legally designated national observance aimed at promoting corroboration of life status and exchanges among separated families from North and South Korea. It is observed every year on the two days before Chuseok (August 13 in the lunar calendar). The ceremony was attended by over 320 people, including separated family members, members of related organizations, National Assembly members, and government officials. Notable attendees included Minister of Unification Kim Yung-ho; Seoul Vice Mayor for Political Affairs Kim Byung-min; Secretary General of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council Tae Yong-ho; Chairman of the Committee for the Five Northern Korean Provinces Kee Duck-young; and Chairman of the Committee for 10 Million Separated Families Jang Man-soon. From the National Assembly, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Kim Young-bae (Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee); People Power Party lawmaker Kim Gunn (Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee), and People Power Party lawmaker Park Choong-kwon attended the event.
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Speaker Woo Won-shik attends relocation ceremony for National Assembly Climate Clock
Speaker Woo Won-shik attends relocation ceremony for National Assembly Climate Clock- Speaker Woo says addressing the climate crisis is a matter of survival, while expressing hope that relocation of the Climate Clock will serve as a turning point for carbon neutrality in the National Assembly- Declares that the 22nd National Assembly will be a ‘Climate Assembly,’ pledging legislative and policy support alongside institutional action programs The Climate Clock, which displays the time remaining until the global average temperature rises by 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, has been relocated to the front of the National Assembly’s Main Building. The clock was previously located at the entrance to the National Assembly’s hydrogen charging station but on September 4 was moved to the front lawn, a symbol of the National Assembly, to enhance its accessibility and public awareness of the climate crisis. During the relocation ceremony, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik stressed, “Addressing the climate crisis is not a choice but a matter of survival. The 1.5-degree Celsius rise is often referred to as the tipping point for climate disaster, and with less than five years remaining, we must act with urgency and determination to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” He continued by saying, “We moved the Climate Clock to the front of the main building so that both official visitors and the general public would be constantly reminded of this urgency. I hope this serves as an opportunity for the National Assembly to redouble its commitment to being a model for carbon neutrality.” Speaker Woo also declared that the 22nd National Assembly should become a “Climate Assembly,” pledging, “We will systematically support legislative and policy efforts by lawmakers to tackle the climate crisis and launch institutional programs within the Assembly, such as expanding renewable energy facilities.” Following his speech, Speaker Woo and attendees chanted together, “We must stop this clock!” showing unified resolve to confront the climate crisis. Political leaders attending the event included Democratic Party of Korea Floor Leader Park Chan-dae; People Power Party Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho; Rebuilding Korea Party Floor Leader Hwang Un-ha; Progressive Party Floor Leader Yoon Jong-o; Reform Party Floor Leader Chun Ha-ram; and Social Democratic Party Leader Han Chang-min. Other attendees included National Assembly Secretary General Kim Min-ki; Chief of Staff to the Speaker Jo O-seop; Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Kwak Hyun; Senior Secretary for Policy Lee Won-jeong; Senior Secretary for Public Relations to the Speaker Park Tae-seo; Senior Secretary for Speechwriting Jo Kyung-suk; Deputy Secretary-General for Administrative Affairs Park Tae-hyung; and Director General of the Management and Maintenance Bureau Lim Jong-soo.
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Speaker Woo Won-shik meets with Brazilian Ambassador to Korea
Speaker Woo Won-shik meets with Brazilian Ambassador to Korea- Speaker Woo congratulates Brazil on hosting this year’s G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) and pledges to strengthen inter-parliamentary relations- Calls for attention and support for Korean companies in Brazil and emphasizes enhancing cooperation on the climate crisis and hydrogen economy- Ambassador Donner expresses hopes that Brazil can contribute to resolving Korea's food price inflation issues Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-shik met with Marcia Donner Abreu, the Ambassador of Brazil to the Republic of Korea, on August 23 at the Speaker’s office. Since forging diplomatic ties in 1959, the first between South Korea and a Latin American country, the two nations have continually developed relations across political, economic, trade, and cultural sectors. At the meeting, Speaker Woo remarked: “This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership between the two countries. Brazil is our largest trading partner in South America and largest investment destination among Latin American countries. I am pleased that our bilateral relations are steadily expanding and developing.” Speaker Woo then congratulated Brazil on being the host country for the 2024 G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) and the G20 Leaders’ Summit, saying: “I plan to attend the Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit scheduled for this November. I promise I will work hard to strengthen the favorable relationship between the parliaments of both nations, through efforts like early establishment of the Korea-Brazil Parliamentary Friendship Group.” Speaker Woo also noted that some 120 Korean companies are operating in Brazil and contributing to the Brazilian economy. “With its favorable conditions for renewable energy, Brazil has great potential for development of a hydrogen economy. I hope that bilateral and multilateral cooperation in hydrogen will continue to grow,” he said. He also commented on Brazil’s upcoming hosting of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30) in 2025, saying: “As the first climate change conference to be held in the Amazon, I hope it will serve as an opportunity to gather wisdom used for the protection of the Amazon and the pursuit of sustainable development.” Ambassador Donner expressed her delight at Speaker Woo’s planned participation in the P20 and vowed to make efforts to ensure a productive visit. She also praised Korean companies on their success in Brazil and the dynamic activities of the overseas Korean community there, which marks its 61st anniversary this year. The ambassador then expressed hopes for Brazil’s contribution to addressing food price inflation in Korea through its agricultural exports. Speaker Woo responded by saying: “I will consult with relevant parliamentary committees and pursue matters in which the National Assembly can play a part.” Attendees at the meeting included Jo O-seop, Chief of Staff to the Speaker; Park Tae-seo, Senior Secretary for Public Relations to the Speaker; Jo Kyung-suk, Senior Secretary for Speechwriting to the Speaker; Jeong Woon-jin, Ambassadorial Advisor to the Speaker for Foreign Affairs; and Koo Hyun-woo, Director General of the International Affairs and Protocol Bureau.