<기사제목>Presidential Office on Separate 추진 of Korean Special Inspector: "A Matter for Lawmakers to Decide"

"North Korean Human Rights Issues Linked to Party Identity"
"Recommendation Linkage Issues Must Be Decided at Party Meeting"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is meeting with Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, on the 21st at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul, and moving to a place for a casual conversation. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office expressed a critical stance regarding Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, stating that he intends to recommend a special inspector separate from the recommendation of directors for the North Korean Human Rights Foundation, saying, "The issue of North Korean human rights is connected to the party's identity."

A senior official from the Presidential Office said on the same day, "The recommendation of directors for the North Korean Human Rights Foundation should not be treated as a trivial matter," adding, "The issue of North Korean human rights is linked to the party's identity, and the party's identity is also important."

He continued, "The issue of linking the special inspector and the recommendation of directors for the North Korean Human Rights Foundation is a matter for the party members to decide at the party caucus."

Earlier, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Leader Han said, "We will proceed with the practical recommendation and appointment procedures for the special inspector." In particular, Han emphasized, "The position that the recommendation of directors for the North Korean Human Rights Foundation is a prerequisite for the recommendation of the special inspector is difficult to gain public sympathy, especially in the current situation."

On the 21st, during a meeting with President Yoon Seok-yeol, Leader Han also proposed the appointment of a special inspector, showing his persistent intention to push forward. At that time, President Yoon clearly stated, "The special inspector is a matter for consultation between the ruling and opposition parties," indicating his position to link the appointment of the special inspector with the opposition party's recommendation of directors for the North Korean Human Rights Foundation.

As the Presidential Office rebutted Leader Han's stance again, the conflict phase between Yoon and Han over the appointment of the special inspector is expected to continue. Chu Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People Power Party, also put a brake by saying, "Candidate recommendation is an internal party matter," showing signs of expanding into factional conflict within the ruling party.