On the 3rd, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, addressed the controversy following the release of the recorded phone conversation between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Mr. Myeong Tae-gyun, stating, "The party and the Yongsan Presidential Office are both deeply considering responses and positions that correspond to the public's concerns."
At a press briefing held at the National Assembly that morning, Floor Leader Choo said, "We will separate political conflict elements as political conflict elements and make our judgment accordingly, but we take the voices of genuine public concern very seriously."
People Power Party Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho is holding a press briefing on current issues at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 3rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
He explained, "The Yongsan Office is frequently listening to many citizens' voices as well as those of related parties," adding, "Since there was an Operations Committee audit on the day the recording was released, opposition lawmakers raised issues and made evaluative remarks, so I believe the chief of the presidential office and senior officials listened thoroughly."
When asked whether personnel reshuffling at the presidential office is included in the response strategy, he replied, "This is not a matter to be handled lightly or fragmentarily at each moment," and added, "If there are various judgments, I think they will also carefully consider how to communicate those judgments to the public, including content, method, and timing."
Regarding the Democratic Party's announcement of additional recordings to be released, he criticized, "If the Democratic Party has obtained recordings, they should release them quickly. If they delay and use this for political conflict, when will we take care of the livelihoods and security that we need to focus on?"
He continued, "This is not a 40-episode drama aiming for ratings," and said, "We need to manage what needs to be managed and keep the National Assembly functioning for the sake of livelihoods, security, and the future. It is not desirable to keep operating like a political conflict game."
On whether to pursue a party audit against Mr. Myeong, he explained, "Since the prosecution has begun full-scale investigations, including summoning related parties, we will make a judgment if there are matters that need to be confirmed within the party. We will review whether internal measures are necessary. The Secretary-General will make a sound judgment."
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