▲ Lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party and the main opposition Democratic Party, and government officials hold a working-level meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 4, 2025. (Yonhap)

gov't-policy consultation

Gov't, rival parties to meet next week to discuss chips bill, extra budget

SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Yonhap) -- The government and rival political parties agreed Tuesday to hold four-way talks early next week to discuss a special law on semiconductors and other pending issues.

The meeting will be attended by acting President Choi Sang-mok and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, as well as Kwon Young-se, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), and Chairman Lee Jae-myung of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP).

"We agreed to reach a conclusion on the agendas discussed today (during the working-level meeting) at next week's policy meeting," Rep. Kim Sang-hoon, the PPP's top policymaker, said.

The four sides aim to hold the talks next Monday or Tuesday, he added.

During Tuesday's meeting, the officials are said to have discussed a special law that will exempt semiconductor workers from the country's 52-hour workweek system and other livelihood-related bills.

The DP is also said to have proposed an extra budget for artificial intelligence and research and development as its key agenda.

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