Opposition submits 'National Investigation Request'... Joo Ho-young says "Will not comply"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] The Democratic Party of Korea, along with the Justice Party and the Basic Income Party, submitted a request for a state audit on the Itaewon incident on the 9th, but Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "We will not respond to the request for a state audit."

After the 'Price Linkage System for Supply Contracts' meeting held at the National Assembly in the afternoon, Floor Leader Joo met with reporters and said, "Swift compulsory investigation is the most effective and principled approach."

He added, "A state audit without enforcement power only hinders the investigation and causes political strife," and "Therefore, we plan not to respond to the request for a state audit, and Jo Jung-hoon, leader of the Transition Korea party, also expressed similar views in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee."

Floor Leader Joo said, "We believe that if there are shortcomings during the investigation, a state audit can be considered then, but since the investigation is progressing steadily now, calling for a state audit at this time is seen by us as having political motives."

There is an analysis that it is practically difficult for the ruling party alone to block the state audit in the current situation where the opposition holds the majority. Regarding this, Floor Leader Joo said, "If the majority party pushes through with numerical power, the state audit would effectively have no power, so we believe the Democratic Party will not go that far."