Saenuri to begin talks for follow-up measures for ferry bill

The ruling Saenuri Party seems to be breathing a sigh of relief as the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) elected Woo Yoon-keun as its new floor leader. As Woo signed the two parties` third and latest agreement on a proposed special bill on the Sewol ferry disaster as the NPAD`s chief policymaker, the Saenuri Party expects him to maintain consistency in future negotiations.

In a telephone conversation with the Dong-A Ilbo, Lee Wan-koo, the Saenuri floor leader, expressed hope over Woo, saying that the two had been cooperating for about six months and thus would be able to discuss floor issues any time.

The Saenuri Party`s floor leadership plans to begin negotiating follow-up measures for the Sewol bill shortly. The party has reportedly finished reviewing various issues regarding the bill and formed a task force for negotiations with the opposition party. Joo Ho-young, Saenuri`s lawyer-turned chief policymaker, and Rep. Kyung Dae-soo are Saenuri`s key negotiators. Rep. Kim Jae-won will be in charge of negations for other bills including a government reorganization bill and plans to form a negotiation task force after consulting with the NPAD`s new floor leadership.