Ruling and opposition lawmakers as well as government officials and diplomats pose at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday, in a ceremony to launch a parliamentary body aimed at strengthening the Korea-U.S. alliance and discussing trade issues between the two nations through engagement with U.S. members of Congress. From front row second from left are Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Ahn Duk-geun, Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) floor leader Rep. Park Chan-dae, DPK Rep. Chung Dong-young, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae, acting U.S. Ambassador Joseph Yun, PPP Rep. Kwon Young-se and Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul. Yonhap

The National Assembly kicked off a bipartisan parliamentary organization aimed at strengthening the nation's alliance with the United States on Monday, as Korea seeks to navigate through economic fallout and reaffirm the alliance under U.S. President Donald Trump.

During the meeting, acting U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Joseph Yun and Jeon Jae-sung, professor of international relations at Seoul National University, discussed the significance of the alliance and inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The body, comprised of 162 lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and opposition parties, will have one chairperson and one secretary appointed from each side.

PPP Rep. Cho Kyung-tae and Rep. Chung Dong-young of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) will serve as chairs and PPP Rep. Cho Jung-hun and DPK Rep. Kim Young-bae as secretaries.

"It is highly meaningful that this is the first official body within the National Assembly dedicated to promoting exchanges with the U.S. Congress," chairperson Cho said. "We will play a crucial role in further advancing the Korea-U.S. alliance."

Unveiling his vision for strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and a roadmap for advancing high-tech industries, Cho added that the union will seek to boost bipartisan cooperation and "maximize the strategic value of the Korea-U.S. alliance."

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik also stressed the importance of bolstering parliamentary cooperation at the meeting, noting that countries and businesses worldwide are paying keen attention to the policies of the new U.S. administration.

"Many countries are putting in full efforts, playing 'good cop and bad cop,'" Woo said. "If necessary, our government and parliament should divide our roles too."

The body plans to promote regular exchanges between the Korean and U.S. legislatures, conduct joint research and enhance bilateral cooperation. (Yonhap)