Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn said Tuesday that the new National Assembly should focus on revitalizing the country's economy, adding the government will take steps to work closely with lawmakers.

"It is regrettable that the major economy-related laws were not concluded at the 19th National Assembly," Hwang said during the Cabinet meeting.

The comments come as the 20th National Assembly began work on Monday with lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties placing more emphasis on cooperation to pass bills that can stimulate growth and help improve peoples' lives.

"Each ministry must make an effort to get laws that directly affect people’s everyday lives discussed in parliament," he said.

He emphasized that laws that can benefit people and the economy should be passed as soon as possible.

Under the new parliament, the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea grabbed 123 seats out of 300 up for grabs. The ruling Saenuri Party secured 122 seats, while the splinter People's Party won 38.

Last week, South Korea's Cabinet asked the National Assembly to review the controversial hearings bill that allows the parliament to open hearings more often. The move fueled tension between the government and the opposition at the dawn of the new parliament.

Hwang also said the government will speed up efforts to find solutions to important public issues, including fine dust emissions and the Oxy Reckitt Benckiser humidifier sterilizer scandal, which has sounded alarms on the safety of certain household products. (Yonhap)