Kwon: "Park Sooyoung's health is at risk and her goal has been achieved"
On the Election Commission's apology: "It's fortunate they recognize public criticism"
"Special Auditor Act should be enacted to find improvement measures"
On the 4th, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, requested Park Soo-young, a People Power Party lawmaker who has been on a hunger strike for three days opposing the appointment of Ma Eun-hyuk as a Constitutional Court justice candidate, to stop the hunger strike.
On the same day, Kwon told reporters at the National Assembly, "Due to Park lawmaker's hunger strike, I understand that the majority of the Cabinet members expressed opposition to Ma's appointment at the Cabinet meeting held this morning. As a result, Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister, did not appoint Ma," he said.
Earlier, the Constitutional Court ruled on the 27th of last month that Acting President Choi's refusal to appoint Ma was unconstitutional. Park, who serves as the ruling party's secretary on the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee, has been conducting a hunger strike in the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly since the 2nd, demanding opposition to Ma's appointment. Park reportedly complained of headaches due to low blood sugar on the day.
Kwon said, "(With Acting President Choi's non-appointment of Ma) Park lawmaker's purpose for the hunger strike has ultimately been achieved," adding, "Therefore, I think it is meaningless for Park lawmaker to continue the hunger strike any longer. Since there are continuous warning signs regarding her health and the reason for the hunger strike has been fulfilled, I strongly urge her to stop the hunger strike."
When a reporter said, "The National Election Commission, which caused problems by hiring family members of high-ranking officials, stated through a public apology that it will actively participate in establishing parliamentary oversight," Kwon responded, "Although it is belated, I think it is fortunate that the Election Commission has expressed such a stance now, showing that it is aware of the public's criticism of itself."
He continued, "Originally, when an organization loses its ability to self-regulate, I believe it is truly necessary for an external, third-party institution to perform surgical intervention to restore the organization's health," adding, "In that regard, it is beneficial for both the Election Commission and the public for the National Assembly to enact a Special Auditor Act to examine all issues of the Election Commission within a limited period and find improvement measures."
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