The government's opposition to the 'Act on the Expansion of Alternative Holidays' promoted by the ruling party was put on hold.
The National Assembly Administrative Safety Committee held a bill review subcommittee on the afternoon of the 16th and discussed the enactment of the 'Public Holidays Act', which applies substitute holidays to all public holidays that overlap weekends.
While the ruling and opposition parties do not have a special disagreement on this law, if the law is enforced, alternative holidays will be applied to Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, Hangeul Day, and Christmas Day this year, which overlap the weekend, extending the number of holidays by four days.
Min Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, even said, "We will deal with it quickly at the National Assembly in June."
However, at today's meeting, the government announced that there were many conflicting parts with existing laws, such as the Labor Law, and that consultation between ministries was necessary, putting the brakes on the speedy process of the bill.
There was also an opinion that it should be carefully reviewed rather than expedited, as it is to create a new law rather than to amend the existing law.
The Democratic Party has been explaining that by passing this bill in the extraordinary National Assembly in June, alternative holidays can be applied from Liberation Day in August.
However, the government repeatedly emphasized that it is possible to 'apply tweezers' to this year's replacement holiday for Liberation Day if the president decides at the cabinet meeting, and repeatedly emphasized a cautious approach to the entire bill.
The Ministry of Public Administration and Security has decided to hold a subcommittee on the bill tomorrow morning and discuss this bill again.
(Photo = Yonhap News)