Mrs. Kim Likely to Refrain from Public Activities and Demand Personnel Reshuffle at the Presidential Office
If It Ends at a Simple Meeting Level, It May Weaken the Momentum of State Administration
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, stated regarding the scheduled meeting with President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 21st, "We will have sufficient discussions on the need for change and reform, as well as on pressing livelihood issues."
Park Jeong-ha, head of the People Power Party leader's secretariat, conveyed on the afternoon of the 18th through a media notice that Leader Han expressed this position.
Earlier, the Presidential Office announced, "President Yoon and Leader Han are scheduled to have a meeting at 4:30 PM next Monday (the 21st) at the Yongsan Presidential Office."
Although Leader Han requested a private meeting, it is known that Jeong Jin-seok, Chief of Staff to the President, will attend the meeting. Regarding the attendance, Leader Han said, "Since the President and the ruling party leader represent the government and the ruling party to discuss state affairs, whether others attend or not is not important."
At the meeting with President Yoon, Leader Han is expected to strongly request resolution of issues related to First Lady Kim Geon-hee and reform of the Presidential Office.
Leader Han had already presented three demands the day before the announcement of the by-election results: personnel reform of the Presidential Office related to First Lady Kim, suspension of her external activities, and active cooperation in investigating allegations surrounding her.
At that time, Leader Han sharply criticized, "Political issues are repeatedly overshadowed by matters related to the First Lady, hindering the government's reform efforts from gaining public support," adding, "There have been actions that do not meet the public's expectations, and public sentiment has deteriorated severely."
However, it is uncertain to what extent President Yoon will agree with these demands. If visible measures to resolve the First Lady Kim risk are presented, it could somewhat ease the conflict between Yoon and Han and find a breakthrough, but the likelihood of this is considered low.
In fact, within the Presidential Office, there are strong negative voices regarding personnel reforms mentioned by Leader Han, stating, "Personnel appointments are the President's exclusive authority." The Presidential Office also maintains the position that the so-called 'Hannam-dong line,' close aides of the First Lady, "does not exist."
If this meeting ends at a mere encounter level, the rift between the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction and the pro-Han (pro-Han Dong-hoon) faction is expected to deepen further, worsening the momentum for state governance.
Besides the First Lady Kim issue, medical reform and other agenda items will also be discussed at the meeting. Leader Han is expected to urge the normalization of the 'ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body' through replacement of government officials responsible for initiatives such as increasing medical school admissions.
It is also reported that he may request regularization of meetings with President Yoon to establish a party-government communication system and the appointment of a special inspector, a currently vacant position.
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