On the 22nd, the Democratic Party criticized the previous day’s meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and People Power Party representative Han Dong-hoon, calling it a “bland meeting” with no results. Additionally, they pressured Representative Han to “follow public opinion with the Kim Gun-hee special prosecutor law.”
During the National Assembly’s state audit strategy meeting, floor leader Park Chan-dae stated, “The much-hyped meeting turned out to be disappointing, failing to meet the public’s expectations with Yoon and Han just talking past each other and leaving empty-handed.”
Representative Han had suggested three major measures to President Yoon in their 81-minute meeting the previous day, including personnel reshuffling within the presidential office related to Mrs. Kim, halting her external activities, and cooperating in clarifying suspicions surrounding her. He also requested the appointment of a special inspector-general, a vice-ministerial-level official in charge of inspecting misconduct by the president’s spouse and others.
President Yoon reportedly explained why each of the three requests could not be accepted, stating that it was inappropriate for the ruling party to recommend a special inspector when the opposition had not yet recommended board members for the North Korean Human Rights Foundation.
In response to Han’s concerns over possible defections on the Kim Gun-hee special prosecutor law, President Yoon replied, “I am grateful that our party’s lawmakers have blocked it so far, but if they change their minds and side with the opposition, there is nothing I can do.”
Park criticized, saying, “Despite growing public criticism and state governance manipulation allegations, President Yoon has expressed unwavering determination to shield Mrs. Kim,” adding, “The president, who has turned away from public demands for change and a special investigation, is now on a path to downfall.”
Jin Sung-joon, the policy committee chair, also criticized, “Not only were the demands for halting Mrs. Kim’s external activities, clearing out her circle, and clarifying suspicions dismissed, it becomes clear once again that what’s genuine is ‘saving Gun-hee’ over saving the country.”
Park further urged Han to accept the Kim Gun-hee special prosecutor law. He remarked, “It is said Representative Han warned before the meeting, ‘If this continues, we are all doomed.’ Rejecting the Kim Gun-hee special prosecutor means going down with President Yoon and his wife,” urging Han to decide and follow the public’s will in handling the Kim Gun-hee special prosecutor issue.