Park Hong-geun "President Yoon's vacation is over, but the people's concerns and worries are not over"

"Even Now, We Must Shed Arrogance and Disconnect to Follow Public Sentiment"
National Assembly Preparing State Audit on Presidential Office Construction Private Contracting
Jeong Cheong-rae, Supreme Council Candidate, Faces Controversy Over Concurrent Role as Science and ICT Committee Chair 'To Be Reconsidered After Party Convention'

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Emergency Measures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized on the 8th regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's stance on the political situation after his vacation, saying, "The president's vacation is over, but the public's concerns and worries are not over," and added, "President Yoon's bland political plan upon his return only disappoints the people who expected reform and a shift in state affairs management."

At the Democratic Party emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Park said, "I only hope it is not the president's stubbornness and the secretariat's misjudgment."

Earlier, President Yoon stated upon his return from vacation, "I will keep my original intention and faithfully follow the will of the people."

Floor Leader Park mentioned, "While the president was resting, the country became even more chaotic," referring to "First Lady Kim Keon-hee's private contract allegations related to the presidential office and the presidential residence construction, along with controversies over private recruitment."

He said, "In last week's public opinion poll, personnel affairs ranked first in negative evaluations of job performance," adding, "The continuous controversies, like peeling an onion, have exhausted the public beyond anger."

Floor Leader Park strongly urged President Yoon to "swiftly normalize state affairs through a complete personnel overhaul of the cabinet," and said, "The Democratic Party has repeatedly demanded internal investigations and accountability regarding President Yoon's private recruitment and personnel scandals. Instead of continuing to turn a deaf ear, he should now shed arrogance and lack of communication and follow public sentiment."

He added, "Simply saying that he will continue to visit the people and serve them with a meaningless, fundamental approach only leads to incompetence," and said, "Since the national crisis affects the entire country, the president, who promised during the People Power Party presidential candidate acceptance to appoint capable experts regardless of faction or political group, boldly delegate authority, and take responsibility for the results, should keep that promise."

Regarding the private contract allegations related to the presidential office construction, he said, "There are several private contract controversies," and "We are reviewing this matter and are in the process of drafting a request for a state audit from a practical standpoint." He added, "If the review is completed soon, we plan to submit it."

On the controversy over dual roles of Representative Jung Cheong-rae, who is both the chairman of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee and a candidate for the Supreme Council, he said, "Although there is no provision in the party constitution or regulations, we request it according to precedent," and added, "I said it would be difficult to hold both positions if elected to the Supreme Council. He also said that if he is finally elected, we will discuss it again then."