Park Hong-geun: "If the People Power Party submits the list first, we will handle the budget bill and then conduct a national investigation on Itaewon."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 22nd that if the People Power Party submits the list of members for the special committee on the Itaewon disaster state audit, they intend to proceed with the state audit after the budget bill is processed.

After the party meeting, Park told reporters, "Yesterday, Ju Ho-young mentioned at the meeting of floor leaders and the National Assembly Speaker that the state audit could be considered after the budget bill is processed. I evaluated this as a progressive and advanced stance," adding, "I hope the People Power Party shows sincerity by submitting the special committee list by 6 p.m. today, and after adopting the investigation plan at the plenary session on the 24th, going through preliminary procedures such as data requests and verification, they agree to issues like on-site verification and hearings immediately after the budget bill is processed. I hope they publicly declare their position accordingly and take follow-up measures."

Park said, "We went through internal leadership reviews and the reporting and agreement process on these opinions at today's party meeting," and added, "Provided that the People Power Party submits the special committee list, we have agreed that we can proceed with the state audit proposed by the People Power Party immediately after the budget bill is processed, after first going through the preliminary preparation process."

He continued, "We went through internal leadership reviews and the reporting and agreement process on these opinions at today's party meeting," and said, "Tomorrow, the full special committee meeting must be held to elect the chairperson and secretary and prepare the investigation plan. As requested by the Speaker by 6 p.m. today, the negotiation groups and non-negotiation groups must submit the list in a 9:7:2 ratio. This must be a prerequisite."