Minjoo, Holds 'Special Committee for Truth Investigation on President's In-Law Highway Gate'
Park Kwang-on "Most Desirable to Settle Right and Wrong through State Audit"
The Democratic Party of Korea continued its full-scale offensive, once again urging a parliamentary investigation into the controversy surrounding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway construction project, which has raised allegations of special favors involving the family of First Lady Kim Keon-hee.
On the morning of the 20th, Park Kwang-on, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the 'Special Committee for Truth-finding on the President’s In-Law Expressway Gate' meeting held at the National Assembly main building, “The issue of the President’s in-law expressway gate is very straightforward. It is about who tried to change the route, why, for what purpose, and through what procedures,” adding, “It is most desirable to clarify the facts through a parliamentary investigation.”
Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Special Committee for the Truth Investigation of the Presidential Family Highway Gate held at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
He said, “In various public opinion polls, support for a parliamentary investigation is overwhelmingly high. More than 60% of the public are in favor,” and asserted, “It is reasonable to reveal the truth through a parliamentary investigation as the public wishes, finalize the route by adding the Shinyangpyeong IC to the original plan, and then commence the project.”
Kang Deuk-gu, co-chairman of the special committee, emphasized, “On the 9th, the current Yangpyeong County Governor, who belongs to the People Power Party, held a press conference in front of the Democratic Party headquarters, where more than ten Yangpyeong county officials also attended and shouted slogans,” adding, “This appears to violate the obligation of political neutrality, and Gyeonggi Province should conduct an audit on this matter.”
There was also a call to hold a National Assembly Steering Committee meeting to uncover the truth. Kang said, “Despite the allegations involving the President and his wife, the Presidential Office has not responded at all and is speaking from a third-party perspective,” and insisted, “While a parliamentary investigation is necessary, the Steering Committee should also be convened.”
He added, “If President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee do not respond, the public will judge this matter in some way,” and “At the very least, we once again urge the Presidential Office to come to the National Assembly with an official position and answer the people.”
Rep. Han Jun-ho said, “The expressway’s endpoint was changed, but why was it precisely where the family burial site of First Lady Kim Keon-hee is located? The Presidential Office and the ruling party have yet to provide a proper explanation and have only continued to lie,” adding, “The Democratic Party will hold a full meeting of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee next week to thoroughly question this issue.”
He continued, “If the government side and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong fail to take responsibility and explain at that meeting, we will use all means, including a parliamentary investigation, to uncover the truth,” he emphasized.
Rep. Maeng Sung-kyu said, “The government and ruling party are responding without submitting materials on the core issues or providing reasonable explanations,” and stated, “Under these circumstances, I believe the suspicions will not be resolved at all. This is precisely why a parliamentary investigation is necessary.”
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