Handonghun and Ruling Party 5~6-Term Lawmakers: "Presidential Address Should Be an Opportunity for Change and Innovation"

CEO Han Holds Meeting with Senior Lawmakers
"Expectations and Concerns Coexist Regarding President Yoon's Address"

On the 6th, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, and senior lawmakers with five and six terms urged, "We hope that tomorrow's presidential address will serve as an opportunity for change and reform with a humble attitude toward the people."

After a meeting in the afternoon between Leader Han and senior lawmakers with five and six terms, the People Power Party issued a statement saying this and added, "Going forward, the party leader and senior lawmakers with five and six terms have decided to regularize meetings like today's."

The meeting was held for about an hour at the National Assembly main building, attended by lawmakers Cho Kyung-tae (6 terms), Kim Ki-hyun, Kwon Young-se, Na Kyung-won, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Cho Bae-sook (5 terms).

Lawmaker Na, about five minutes after attending the meeting, left and told reporters, "Tomorrow's address is a statement made ahead of the midterm point of the presidency, so I conveyed to Leader Han that after that, the party and the presidential office should work together in unity to regain momentum in state affairs." He added, "Now is the president's time, and we must wait."

Lawmaker Kwon also told reporters, "We talked in the direction of hoping that the press conference goes well and becomes an opportunity for us to regain support from the people."

Lawmaker Cho, a close ally of the president, explained to reporters after the meeting, "It was a session with both concerns and expectations?concerns about whether the address and press conference will meet the people's expectations, and hopes that the level can be met."

Lawmaker Cho said, "Some lawmakers believe the president should be supported, but that seems somewhat different from the current public sentiment. At least senior lawmakers, who have long been supported by many citizens, said we should look at the people, not Yongsan."

Regarding personnel reshuffles in the presidential office, he stated, "My personal judgment is that it should be extensive." On the issue of First Lady Kim Geon-hee, he also mentioned, "I hope the address includes the investigation details concerning Mrs. Kim and that it is an honest and sincere statement."

Members of the People Power Party with 5 to 6 terms are moving to the party leader's office to attend a meeting with Representative Han Dong-hoon held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 6th. [Image source=Yonhap News]