The National Assembly Research Service (NARS), headed by President Lee Kwan-Hu, held the 14th International Seminar for Parliamentary Research Services on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at the First Small Conference Room of the National Assembly Members’ Office Building.

Established in 2007, NARS is a leading parliamentary research body in Korea and has hosted an international academic seminar annually since 2010.

The seminar brought together delegations from parliamentary research services of 17 countries, including the European Parliament, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, China, India, Türkiye, and the Republic of Korea. Participants exchanged national experiences and discussed legislative responses to pressing global challenges, particularly the climate crisis and the reduction of inequality.

The first session, titled “Legislative and Policy Trends in Addressing the Climate Crisis,” featured presentations by delegations from 10 countries, including Sarah Sheil, Director of the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS). Participants recognized climate change as an issue directly linked to human survival and shared legislative and policy trends such as carbon neutrality initiatives, the expansion of renewable energy, and transitions to green industries, emphasizing the need for international cooperation.

The second session, held under the theme “Reducing Inequality and the Role of Parliaments,” included presentations by delegations from seven countries, including Alexandre Gauthier, Senior Director of the Library of Parliament of Canada. The session examined economic disparities, inequalities in access to education and healthcare, and discrimination based on gender, race, and region, while highlighting parliamentary policy efforts to mitigate these challenges. NARS presented the current status of inequality-related research in Korea and directions for legislative responses.

In a special session, President Lee Kwan-Hu delivered a presentation titled “A Proposal for Establishing an International Consultative Body of Parliamentary Research Services.” He emphasized the importance of sharing legislative information and strengthening cooperation among parliamentary research services to enhance sustainable global governance.

Lee Hack-young, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly, attended the opening ceremony and welcomed the international delegations. Joo Ho-young, Vice Speaker of the National Assembly, joined the official dinner and engaged in discussions with participants to reinforce cooperative relations.