Hong Cheol-ho "Democratic Party Floor Leader Park Chan-dae is a Rational Person... Hopes for a Productive National Assembly"

Yoon's 2nd Anniversary Press Conference Likely on the 9th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Hong Cheol-ho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Presidential Office, appeared on Yonhap News TV on the 3rd and commented on the election of Park Chan-dae (Incheon Yeonsu-gap), a pro-Myeong (pro-Lee Jae-myung) faction member, as the new floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying he is a "reasonable and amicable person" and expressing hope that "the National Assembly will become productive in the direction the people desire."

Immediately after being elected and starting his term, Floor Leader Park announced in his policy speech, "We will immediately re-push the legislation on the bill for which President Yoon Seok-yeol exercised his veto power (reconsideration request) as soon as the 22nd National Assembly convenes," and warned of a tough stance by saying, "We will also begin negotiations to secure additional supplementary budget for the Livelihood Recovery Support Fund."

Following the Democratic Party's forced passage of the 'Special Prosecutor Law for Chae Sang-byeong' the previous day and the Presidential Office's indication of exercising veto power, there is an analysis that the atmosphere of cooperation, which was initiated by the first meeting between President Yoon and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung on the 29th of last month, is becoming tense again. Regarding this, Senior Secretary Hong said, "(Park) has no choice but to speak like that now," and emphasized, "Since the floor leader of the People Power Party will be elected on the 9th, we will first discuss the situation in the National Assembly, and then hope for a productive National Assembly in the direction the people desire."

With the election date for the People Power Party floor leader postponed from the 3rd to the 9th, Senior Secretary Hong said, "At the Presidential Office, since the 21st National Assembly members know each other well, we believe a good person will be elected," and added, "The President has consistently said, 'Do not give the impression of interfering in the election even a little bit.'"

Regarding the suggestion that the relationship between the party and government needs to be reset, he said, "As you know, it is an extremely divided National Assembly with a minority government and majority opposition. It is not only difficult for us but also for the party," and added, "Once the floor leader is elected, we need to think about how to overcome that part. We should also share thoughts with the political affairs side and the policy office that handles policies."

About Hwang Woo-yeo, the new emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, he said, "He is a senior member of our party and, above all, well-versed in party affairs," and expressed confidence, "I believe he will do well."

"President Yoon to Speak Extensively on Future Strategy at Press Conference"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As President Yoon has announced plans to strengthen communication going forward, the date for the 2nd anniversary press conference is being strongly considered for the 9th. Senior Secretary Hong explained, "We are trying not to go beyond the inauguration day (the 10th). The 9th seems to be the appropriate day from our perspective," and added, "The President will talk a lot about what the public is curious about. He will also speak extensively about future strategy."

Senior Secretary Hong said, "The format has not been decided yet, but what is clear is that the President does not intend to selectively answer questions or lightly touch on questions," and added, "He seems to have the intention to answer as honestly as possible."

Regarding reports that a former prosecutor is being strongly considered for the revived Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs position and that the opposition is opposing this, he responded, "People with similar functions should probably take the role. Civil Affairs might also need to handle government relations," and said, "Since it is impossible to communicate with ordinary citizens, someone who has served in public office should probably do it."

On the establishment of a second secretariat, he said, "I think it will be discussed after the organizational structure of the Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs is established," and added, "If necessary, we should consider it with an open mind."

Regarding concerns that if President Yoon exercises veto power again on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law, it could be a significant political burden, Senior Secretary Hong said, "The number of times is not important; the content is," and criticized, "If the opposition unilaterally processes things that cannot be accepted and submits them, we have no choice but to exercise veto power, as in this case, which could be interpreted as ultra vires."