First Meeting Between Song Eon-seok and Chun Haram Since Taking Office
Agreement Reached on Special Prosecutor for Unification Church Scandal Involving the Democratic Party
Differences Remain Over Recommendation and Scope of Investigation
Joint P
Song Eon-seok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, and Cheon Haram, Floor Leader of the Reform New Party, met on the 17th and agreed to jointly promote a special prosecutor (special investigation law) for the "Unification Church Gate," which has raised suspicions of involvement by the Democratic Party of Korea.
The two parties plan to hold working-level consultations on detailed matters where there are differences, such as the scope of the special investigation and the nomination rights, aiming to reach an agreement as early as this week and immediately proceed to jointly propose the special investigation law.
Song Eon-seok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party (left), and Cheon Haram, Floor Leader of the Reform New Party, are shaking hands on the 17th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to promote a special prosecutor for the "Unification Church Gate." Photo by Yonhap News Agency
After meeting with Cheon Haram at the main building of the National Assembly on the morning of the 17th, Song Eon-seok told reporters, "We have sufficiently exchanged views, and although there are some points where we do not completely agree, on most issues, our perspectives are generally aligned in a similar direction."
Song Eon-seok added, "I cannot disclose the details as the process is still ongoing, but we will continue working at the practical level, gather more opinions within both parties, and finalize the bill."
Cheon Haram said, "Song Eon-seok approached the discussion with a very open attitude, so the talks went smoothly," adding, "I hope we can conclude the discussions and propose the bill within this week if possible."
Cheon Haram also stated, "There are some issues on which each party needs to further gather opinions internally," but emphasized, "The Reform New Party and the People Power Party are in complete agreement that a special investigation into the Unification Church is absolutely necessary."
He continued, "We will join forces to ensure that the Democratic Party cannot refuse the special investigation law," stressing, "We must achieve the result of establishing a special investigation."
Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party (center), is speaking while meeting with Cheon Haram, floor leader of the Reform New Party (right), on the 17th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to promote a special investigation into the "Unification Church Gate." Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Both parties agreed that the scale of the Unification Church special investigation should be kept to a minimum, but they showed differences regarding the nomination rights for the special prosecutor and the scope of the investigation.
Before the meeting, Cheon Haram stated, "For a thorough investigation that does not favor either the Lee Jaemyung administration or any political party, the opposition party without any suspicions related to the Unification Church should make the nomination. The only opposition party in the National Assembly that is completely free from any mention of or ties to the Unification Church is the Reform New Party."
He added, "To establish a special investigation that earns the trust of the public and removes any justification for the Democratic Party to reject it, I hope the People Power Party will make a broad-minded decision to allow the Reform New Party to nominate the special prosecutor."
Regarding the scope of the investigation, he said, "The most recent successful case in which the ruling party accepted a special investigation was the 'Druking Special Investigation,' where the scope was clearly defined as illegal opinion manipulation by Druking and related organizations. Likewise, the Unification Church special investigation should be composed in a simple and clear manner so that the Democratic Party cannot reasonably oppose it."
Song Eon-seok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party (third from the left), and Cheon Haram, Floor Leader of the Reform New Party (fourth from the left), are taking a commemorative photo on the 17th at the National Assembly to promote a special prosecutor for the "Unification Church Gate." Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On the other hand, the People Power Party initially insisted that the special prosecutor should be nominated by a negotiation group not affiliated with the president, but on this day proposed alternatives such as nominations by the Korean Bar Association or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Song Eon-seok said, "Looking at previous special investigation laws, there have been many cases where the Korean Bar Association or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court made the nominations. Rather than having political parties inside or outside the National Assembly get involved, it is a good alternative to entrust the nomination rights to legal experts such as the Supreme Court or the Bar Association."
Regarding the scope of the investigation, the People Power Party is also insisting that not only political circles but also allegations of a cover-up by Special Prosecutor Min Junggi should be included.
Song Eon-seok stated, "I believe it is appropriate to focus the investigation on the circumstances surrounding the exchange of money and valuables between the Unification Church and the ruling Democratic Party, as well as any attempts to conceal or cover up such incidents."
If the People Power Party and the Reform New Party jointly propose the special investigation law, it is expected that the first joint conservative opposition front of the 22nd National Assembly will be established.
Song Eon-seok said, "We will quickly finalize the practical details and propose the special investigation law so that the Democratic Party can ensure its passage. I strongly hope this will mark the first vigorous step toward opposition party cooperation."
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