<원내대책회의선> "Citizen Groups = Government-affiliated Groups, Political Reserve Forces" Strong Criticism
[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lee Hyun-joo] Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, on the 16th strongly criticized, saying, "Civic groups have degenerated into government-affiliated organizations and political reserves." While the People Power Party confirmed the appointment of the emergency committee members that afternoon, Kwon remained silent regarding calls for resignation from some within the party.
After the floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly that morning, Kwon maintained silence when asked by reporters about his intention to voluntarily resign from the emergency committee.
Emergency Committee Chairman Joo Ho-young plans to announce the appointments through a video meeting with party members in the afternoon. Kwon is also highly likely to be included in the emergency committee as one of the three ex officio members. However, there is considerable criticism within the party about his inclusion, given that he was the source of division within the party following the exposure of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s text messages.
On the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Jung Woo-taek appeared on BBS Radio’s "Jeon Young-shin’s Morning Journal" and said, "I think we cannot avoid holding accountable those who caused or are directly responsible for the current emergency situation," adding, "It would be better if Floor Leader Kwon made a political decision befitting a greater politician."
Meanwhile, during the floor strategy meeting held that day, Kwon pointed out, "Since the enactment of the Nonprofit Private Organization Support Act during the Kim Dae-jung administration, civic groups have been receiving financial and administrative support from the government," adding, "As a result, civic groups have increased dramatically, but they have not matured qualitatively compared to their quantitative growth."
He further criticized, "They even colluded with the Democratic Party of Korea," and said, "When power supports civic groups with tax money, the civic groups repay with political support."
He emphasized, "Even now, thorough audits must be conducted to eradicate corruption and degeneration within civic groups," and mentioned, "President Yoon Seok-yeol also pledged in a brief message to fully recover illegal profits from civic groups." He stressed, "It is the budget settlement season in the National Assembly. Ministries with many civic group support cases, such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Environment, and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, require thorough inspection."
Additionally, Kwon said, "The National Assembly is about to conduct budget settlement reviews," and added, "Since there is a situation where financial burdens are being enforced for the time being, wasteful spending must be thoroughly eradicated." To this end, he requested each standing committee to focus on inspecting ideologically biased projects and interest cartel projects.
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