Park Hong-geun "Joo Ho-young's 'Proposal for National Audit after Budget Bill' Evaluation... If Willing to Join, Must Declare Official Position"

Plan for National Assembly Investigation Must Be Approved at the Plenary Session on the 24th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, hinted on the 22nd that the government party's official position could allow postponing the Itaewon disaster state audit until after the budget bill is processed. Leader Park stated that while the plan to handle the state audit report in the plenary session on the 24th is the principle, if the ruling party explicitly expresses willingness to participate, the timing of the state audit could be delayed.

At the Democratic Party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Leader Park said, "Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, yesterday agreed on the necessity of the state audit and proposed a plan to proceed after the budget bill is processed," adding, "This is a significant shift from the previous stance of effectively rejecting the state audit unless the police investigation is concluded, showing for the first time a progressive position to conduct the state audit in response to the demands of the public and opposition parties."

He said, "I do not think the People Power Party leadership, having met with bereaved families who are spending days of sorrow after losing their beloved family members, has once again pulled out the card of shirking responsibility and stalling for time," and added, "If the People Power Party is firmly willing to participate in the state audit, I hope they will promptly declare the ruling party's official position."

Leader Park said, "The Democratic Party will gather the consensus of lawmakers at today's party meeting to ensure the state audit is carried out," and emphasized, "Under any circumstances, the Democratic Party will definitely process the state audit plan in the plenary session on the 24th." He also said, "If the People Power Party sets aside concerns about the presidential office and party interests and follows only the will of the people, there will be no difficulties in pushing forward the state audit."

Referring to the People Power Party leadership's meeting with the bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster the previous day, he said, "Although it is belated, it is fortunate that they met with the bereaved families at least now," and added, "Having heard the heartfelt voices of the bereaved families, the People Power Party leadership must no longer ignore the truth and responsibility." He continued, "Fact-finding through the state audit and special prosecution is an unavoidable duty of the National Assembly."