May 20 Legislative Report: Cho Kuk Innovation Party Intensifies Legislative Push on Education Issues

22nd National Assembly: Education Issues Emerge Amidst Intensifying Legislative Moves by Cho Kuk Innovation Party

As the 22nd National Assembly convenes, legislative efforts aimed at resolving pressing education issues are gaining momentum, largely driven by members of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party. With bills being prepared or entering discussion phases to ensure students' learning rights, prevent and eradicate school violence, and protect teachers' rights, these moves signal potential shifts in future education policy. Notably, a significant number of lawmakers affiliated with the Education Committee are actively listening to the voices from the education field and focusing on developing practical improvement measures.

A substantial group of Cho Kuk Innovation Party members, including lawmakers Kang Hyun-woo, Kim Jun-woo, Kim Eun-bae, Lee Man-bok, Kim Hyung-rae, Choi Jung, Kim Gun-woo, Park Sang-jin, Park Geun-hyeong, and Jung Ha-eun, are actively participating in the 22nd National Assembly's Education Committee. They are demonstrating proactive legislative engagement by attending standing committee meetings, receiving reports on educational matters, and posing questions regarding measures to guarantee students' learning rights. This engagement reflects a strong will to understand the difficulties faced by the education sector and to address them through legislation.

Eradicating School Violence and Protecting Teachers' Rights Emerge as Legislative Priorities

Lawmaker Kang Hyun-woo is preparing to introduce an amendment to the Special Act on the Prevention and Eradication of School Violence. This initiative is seen as a response to the severe problem of school violence, which has recently become a significant societal concern, aiming to legislate effective preventive measures and eradication strategies. The proposed bill is expected to complement the limitations of current laws and focus on enabling swift and appropriate responses to violence in schools. It is anticipated to contribute to ensuring a safe and healthy school environment for students.

Furthermore, lawmaker Choi Jung has been vocal in advocating for institutional frameworks to protect teachers' rights and improve working conditions in education. This reflects the escalating severity of teacher rights infringements, highlighting the urgent need for legal and institutional support to create an environment where teachers can focus on education with peace of mind. Lawmaker Kim Gun-woo is also contributing to this movement by participating in discussions on amendments to the 'Five Acts for the Protection of Teachers' Rights' within the Education Committee.

These lawmakers are also paying attention to enhancing the transparency and efficiency of educational finances by reviewing current issues related to the special account for education expenses and seeking improvement measures. The efficient operation of educational finances ultimately leads to improved educational quality, making the review of related bills and policy proposals crucial for addressing fundamental problems in the education sector.

Focus on Welfare for the Elderly and Improving Labor Conditions Through Private Sector Bills

Beyond education, Cho Kuk Innovation Party lawmakers are pursuing legislative activities on various private sector issues. Lawmaker Lee Man-bok has proposed policy alternatives through questions concerning elderly poverty and improvements to welfare systems. Specifically, he has announced plans to push for legislation through amendments to the Elderly Welfare Act to expand support for elderly employment and resolve pension coverage gaps, demonstrating a commitment to strengthening welfare policies in response to an aging society. The goal is to reinforce the social safety net for the rapidly growing elderly population and provide tangible assistance to seniors facing economic hardship.

Lawmaker Kim Hyung-rae is preparing to introduce labor-related bills, including the Fair Wage Act. This aims to reduce inequality in the labor market and protect workers' rights. By establishing a legal foundation for reducing wage gaps and ensuring fair compensation, it is expected to enhance fairness and equity in the workplace. Additionally, lawmaker Jung Ha-eun is working to introduce the 'Act on the Protection and Support of Platform Workers,' focusing on protecting the rights of the increasing number of non-traditional workers. This effort aims to alleviate the instability faced by workers due to new employment forms and provide a minimum level of social protection.

Meanwhile, lawmaker Shin Jang-shik has spearheaded the introduction of an amendment to the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act to 'Expand the Scope of Recognition for Deaths in Hazardous Occupations.' This bill aims to broaden the recognition criteria for deaths in hazardous occupations, ensuring workers in such roles receive fair compensation in the event of industrial accidents. Alongside efforts to prevent industrial accidents, this is considered a significant measure to strengthen the social safety net, alleviating the hardships faced by workers and their families when accidents occur.

Concerns Over Weakened Legislative Momentum Due to Delays in National Assembly Normalization

Despite the numerous bills being proposed and discussed, the delay in normalizing the National Assembly's operations, stemming from disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties over the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, is raising concerns about weakened legislative momentum. Although an agreement was reached for the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers in a plenary session on June 5, subsequent procedures such as the allocation of standing committee chairmanships remain, which could disrupt the review and passage of bills. While Prime Minister Han Duck-soo urged a swift pace of legislation during a dinner with floor leaders from both parties, the continued confrontational stance in politics could lead to delays in processing private sector bills.

Specifically, the numerous education-related bills being prepared by Education Committee members address urgent societal demands. Issues such as school violence, infringement of teachers' rights, and educational funding problems cause confusion in the field and directly impact students' learning environments, necessitating prompt legislative solutions. Bills aimed at improving labor conditions are also essential for addressing widening labor market inequality and the issue of non-regular employment.

Attention is now focused on whether the stabilization of the National Assembly's schedule and cooperation between parties will allow these important private sector bills to be promptly reviewed and passed, translating into actual policies without remaining stalled. The responsibility of the political sphere is called for to ensure that the legislative activities of the 22nd National Assembly go beyond merely proposing bills and bring about positive changes in people's lives.