"Not an Issue to Be Traded for Government Reorganization"
President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the importance of cooperation, but made it clear that he would not compromise on uncovering the truth behind the December 3 Martial Law Incident.
President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the 100-day inauguration press conference titled "100 Days for Recovery, Growth for the Future," held at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
At the 100-day inauguration press conference held at the Blue House State Guesthouse on the 11th, President Lee commented on the final breakdown of the ruling and opposition parties’ negotiations to amend the three major special prosecutor laws, stating, "My view is that it makes no sense to trade off reorganizing the Government Organization Act with uncovering the truth about the rebellion and holding those responsible strictly accountable."
He added, "Although I am from the Democratic Party, as president I must represent the sovereign people of the Republic of Korea. Among the people, there are those who like blue, those who like red, those who like gray, and even those who dislike all of them. I have to represent all of them."
He went on to say, "It won't be easy, but I hope the ruling and opposition parties will reach a rational conclusion that aligns with common sense."
Nevertheless, he stressed, "Cooperation is different from collusion," and added, "Uncovering the truth about the rebellion, thoroughly investigating the facts, and holding those responsible so strictly that such things can never happen again-so that no one can even dream of it-this is the fundamental value of a democratic republic."
These remarks were aimed at the previous day's negotiations between the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties, in which the People Power Party agreed to cooperate on revising the Government Organization Act in exchange for not extending the investigation period of the three major special prosecutor cases (rebellion, Kim Keon-hee, and Chae Sang-byeong).
President Lee emphasized, "The Government Organization Act is about reorganizing government structure, while the investigation into the rebellion is about uncovering the truth and holding those responsible so strictly that a pro-military coup can never happen again in Korea. My view is that these two matters cannot be traded off."
Earlier that morning, the Democratic Party’s floor leadership announced that, considering internal opposition, they had decided to break off negotiations with the ruling party floor leader.
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