NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RESEARCH SERVICE NEWSLETTER

VOL.17 ㅣ December, 2014 ㅣ NATIONAL ASSEMBLY RESEARCH SERVICE, REPUBLIC OF KOREA ㅣ www.nars.go.kr

- ▼ Full text is provided in Korean. For more information please contact - sarahpark1@na.go.kr

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< Issue Brief >

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Title - Main Contents regarding the U.S.-China Agreement on Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Their Climate Policies

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Author : Choi Jun-young (Legislative Researcher, Environment and Labor Team)

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Published : November 26, 2014

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Summary: In the U.S.-China Summit held on 12 November 2014, the U.S. promised to cut emissions by 26~28% between 2005 and 2025, while China held that Chinese emissions of carbon dioxide would peak by around 2030. China, who has suffered from air pollution, has firmly implemented regulations such as cutting the amount of coal use, expansion of renewable energy, and so forth. The Barack Obama administration in the U.S. started plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions through cutting the amount of coal dust in coal mines, and expansion of facilities for renewable energy within state-owned lands. This agreement between the two countries-who have been passive in term of policies regarding climate change-is expected to have a great influence on the following agreements on climate changes in the world. Therefore existing policies on climate changes and greenhouse gas emissions shall be thoroughly examined to respond to the changes.

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< Issue Brief >

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Title - Policy Tasks for Revitalization of Technology Finance

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Author : Cho Dae-hyoung (Legislative Researcher, Finance and Fair Trade Team)

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Published : November 20, 2014

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Summary: The success story of Alibaba-the Chinese e-commerce company-shows the importance of technology finance because proper funding is essential in the early stages of technical development and commercialization for small and medium-sized venture businesses with creative ideas and skills. The function of technology finance has been limited and not worked properly as the capital provider in innovative business since the role of government was overemphasized. Recently, there have been expectations of the government policy with revitalization of technology finance; it is important to have a sound environment for active participation of venture capital and investment banks. Moreover, highly needed are efforts to reinforce the customized fund-providing function for small and medium-sized venture businesses and to revitalize intellectual property as financial instruments.

12.08.

Problems on the Capital Gains Tax System for Expropriation and Plans for Improvement

12.05.

Introduction of Dementia Rating for the National Long-term Care Insurance and Future Tasks

12.04.

Tasks for Settlement of the Student Safety Zone

12.03.

Current State of Marine Accidents and Directions for Prevention Measures

12.02.

Current State of Subcommittees in the National Assembly and Issues regarding Revitalization of Subcommittees

11.25.

Main Contents regarding the U.S.-China Agreement on Cutting Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Their Climate Policies

11.20.

Policy Tasks for Revitalization of Technology Finance

11.19.

Problems regarding Policy for Prevention of Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and the Improvement Tasks

11.18.

Issues regarding Differences between the Concepts of Lease and Rental, and the Improvement Plans

11.17.

Major Issues on South Korean Tariff on Rice Imports

11.13.

Problems on the Pre-qualification System of Online Music Videos and Directions for Improvement

11.12.

Conditions on Investment in Quasi-public Rental Housing and Relevant Policy Tasks

11.11.

Issues to Improve Regulations on Collusion between Financial Institutions under Administrative Guidelines and Future Tasks

11.10.

Issues of TV Home Shopping and Tasks for Establishment of Channels for Small and Medium-sized Firms

11.07.

Current State of the Ageing Farming Population Index and Future Tasks

11.06.

Current State of Technology Balance of Payment and Its Implications




	On 13 November 2014, the National Assembly Research Service held a joint seminar on the 'Examination of the Ideological Conflict for National Integration and the Role of the National Assembly' with the Committee for National Integration (Chairperson Han Kwang-ok) at the Main Hall of the National Assembly Library. The purpose of the seminar was to find the role of the National Assembly by examining thoroughly the objective reality of the ideological and political conflicts in Korean society and finding a solution At the seminar, Professor Mok Jin-hyu (Kookmin University) presided over the discussion, and President Lee Sook-jong of the East Asia Institute and Professor Kim Hyung-jun (Myongji University) advanced the topic presentations. Several people participated in the comprehensive discussion that followed: MP Lee Jung-hyun (Saenuri) and MP Woo Won-sik (New Politics Alliance for Democracy), Professor Lee Hyun-woo (Sogang University), Executive Director Hong Jin-pyo (SDJS), Mr. Lee Tae-ho (People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy), editorial writer Song Pyung-in (Dong-A Daily News), and senior journalist Sung Han-yong (the Hankyoreh). In his congratulatory address, Speaker Chung Eui-hwa stated that "with rapid growth over half a century, our society has experienced conflicts and disputes. For the national integration, the most important concepts are the national spirit of loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and sensibility, and the virtue of gratitude, solicitude, mercy, and concession."Thus "the National Assembly will do its best to be the principal agent for the national integration." In his welcoming address, Chairperson Han Kwang-ok emphasized that "the national integration starts with cultural communication based on consideration and respect of others within the Republic of Korea, a country of liberal democracy." Therefore the National Assembly and the political sphere shall undertake duties to manage disputes followed by the division of Korea and rapid growth, and to sublimate them in creative energy."