[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] On the 13th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, announced that he would firmly respond to fake news claiming that the victim who accused the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment was a member of former Liberty Korea Party floor leader Na Kyung-won's staff. Regarding the burial site issue of the late General Baek Seon-yeop, he called for a presidential decision.
At the United Future Party members' meeting held at the National Assembly main building that morning, Floor Leader Joo said, "While we pray for the deceased's soul, there must be no secondary harm to the victim during the funeral process."
He added, "There is 100% fake news claiming that the victim was once a staff member of former floor leader Na Kyung-won from our party and then became her secretary. There are forces spreading fake news to attack the other side and divert attention, and we will firmly deal with this going forward."
Meanwhile, the victim who accused the late Mayor Park is scheduled to make a statement at 2 p.m. that day. After the members' meeting, Floor Leader Joo told reporters, "Speculative remarks about the victim are inappropriate and should not be continuously made. Since there is a statement scheduled at 2 p.m., let's wait for that before commenting."
Regarding the opening ceremony of the National Assembly, he said, "Floor Chief Kim Seong-won has full authority to negotiate with the Democratic Party and make decisions, but there were many orders to firmly uphold our demands and not easily yield to the other side's requests. The Democratic Party plans to hold a plenary session on Wednesday (the 15th), but that day is the burial ceremony of General Baek, and many lawmakers will attend that, so it is inappropriate."
About the late General Baek, he said, "He was a great person who laid the foundation of the ROK-US alliance and the basis of today's Republic of Korea Armed Forces. He established the framework of the Dongjak-dong National Cemetery and wished to be buried there with his comrades who died during the Korean War, but this administration intends to enshrine him in Daejeon," criticizing the decision.
Floor Leader Joo emphasized, "Even when former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam passed away, there was no burial site in Dongjak-dong, but they were enshrined there due to political considerations, so it is not too late now. The president should make a decision to enshrine him in a burial site with his comrades to give him the respect he deserves."
He continued, "The Democratic Party of Korea has not issued any statement or comment regarding this elder's passing. This is a cowardly and wrong attitude. If they knew who made today's Republic of Korea possible and who allows them to live, they would sincerely express gratitude, which is the ruling party's courtesy."
Regarding the opening negotiations, Floor Leader Joo said, "The Democratic Party keeps emphasizing a 'working National Assembly' regarding the July extraordinary session, but when we requested the Judiciary Committee to investigate Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's abuse of command and breach of dignity, as well as various official secrets leaks, they refused. They also rejected our request to convene the Political Affairs Committee to investigate the Lime and Optimus private equity fund scandals."
He criticized, "If the Political Affairs Committee opens, we will also investigate and correct issues related to the Justice and Yoon Mi-hyang cases. They keep saying 'working National Assembly,' but are they trying to make it a National Assembly that only does what they want? Are they trying to make it a National Assembly that only serves as a lackey for the Blue House or the executive branch?"
At the members' meeting that day, a discussion followed a lecture by Professor Kwon Dae-jung of Myongji University's Department of Real Estate regarding the government's real estate policy. After the meeting, Floor Leader Joo told reporters, "We discussed what the problems are and what alternatives exist regarding the skyrocketing housing prices that this administration is failing to control. Professor Kwon concluded that policy makers refuse to admit mistakes and are trapped in the belief that they are right, ignoring experts' advice."
Floor Spokesperson Choi Hyung-doo also raised his voice after the meeting, saying, "The Democratic Party is stalling the July National Assembly." He pointed out, "Like during the third supplementary budget, they move like a branch office when ordered by the Blue House, but when it comes to discussing urgent issues that require restoring public trust and the rule of law, they block it. They are completely ignoring issues related to the Minister of Justice, private equity funds, and the Justice Foundation." Additionally, the United Future Party announced plans to hold members' meetings regularly every Friday at 10:30 a.m.
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