Handuksoo "Final Duty in Public Service... Will Devote Full Effort"
Lee Jaemyung Proposes Government Consultation Body... People Power Party Opposes
Acting President Han Duck-soo met with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and urged close cooperation. Speaker Woo emphasized the importance of people's livelihood and stressed that the National Stability Council proposed by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, should be promptly activated. However, opposition from the People Power Party is expected to make the formation of the council difficult.
On the afternoon of the 15th, Acting President Han visited Speaker Woo at the National Assembly. The meeting was arranged at Han's request following the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-youl the previous day.
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-shik are meeting in the Speaker's office on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News
Speaker Woo first said, "From now on, it is more important than anything else to properly manage the situation and stabilize state affairs," adding, "The core principle of state administration must be the establishment of the people as the center." He continued, "The government and the National Assembly must work together to overcome the crisis," and emphasized, "Although there are some differences of opinion, it is very important to form and promptly activate a state affairs council between the National Assembly and the government."
Acting President Han said, "As Prime Minister, I feel a heavy responsibility regarding the passage of the presidential impeachment motion," and added, "I believe that the prompt resolution of the current situation and stable state administration is my final duty after a long public service career, and I will do my utmost." He continued, "The government will focus solely on the people and do its best to overcome the crisis," and said, "All government decisions will be based on the Constitution, laws, and the nation's future, and we will closely cooperate and communicate with the National Assembly."
Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-shik are meeting in the Speaker's office on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News
Earlier, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said at a press conference that morning, "We will actively cooperate with all political parties to stabilize state affairs and restore international trust," and proposed "the formation of a National Stability Council involving both the National Assembly and the government." This is a plan to discuss policies at the level of the National Assembly and government to restore people's livelihood.
A senior government official expressed acceptance of this proposal, saying, "In accordance with the Constitution and laws, we are prepared to actively cooperate with the National Assembly, including both ruling and opposition parties, to promptly stabilize state affairs."
However, People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong stated, "The People Power Party is still the ruling party, and as we have done so far, we intend to carry out responsible politics through party-government consultations until the end," effectively rejecting the proposal.
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