The ruling and main opposition parties on Monday launched a joint consultative body to fast-track bills concerning people's livelihoods. The bipartisan consultative body was launched in line with an agreement reached by ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon and his opposition Democratic Party counterpart, Lee Jae-myung, during their first official talks last month. The rival parties will aim to swiftly deal with key public livelihood bills and address issues such as economic growth through the semiconductor and artificial intelligence sectors, the nation's low birth rate and the possible abolition of the financial investment income tax. "Though the rival parties may clash at times, it is time for us to faithfully fulfill our natural duty to pass livelihood-related bills for the people," Rep. Kim Sang-hoon, the PPP's top policymaker, said. Source: Yonhap News Agency