Presidential Office Respects National Assembly's Decision on Ruling Party's Acceptance of Unification Church Special Prosecutor

Presidential Office: "No Issue If It Aligns with President Lee's Directive"
President Lee Ordered "Strict Investigation Regardless of Rank or Position" on December 10
Meeting Between Ruling and Opposition Floor Leaders at the National Assembly on December 22 Afternoon

Regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's sudden acceptance of the 'Unification Church special prosecutor' demanded by the People Power Party and the Reform Party, the presidential office stated, "We respect the decision of the National Assembly."

Yonhap News Agency

On December 22, a senior official from the presidential office said, "If this special prosecutor aligns with President Lee Jaemyung's directive for a thorough investigation regardless of rank or position, there is no problem." President Lee had previously ordered on December 10, as suspicions spread that even politicians from the ruling bloc were implicated in the Unification Church scandal, "Conduct a strict investigation regardless of rank or position."

Earlier that day, Democratic Party leader Jung Cheongrae stated at the party's Supreme Council meeting in the National Assembly, "Although I previously said the Unification Church special prosecutor was unacceptable, there is no reason not to accept it," adding, "I also believe it is good to clearly reveal the truth, including all those from the People Power Party who are involved." Floor leader Kim Byungki said, "It seems our patience has been mistaken for avoidance," and proposed, "Let us include all politicians from both the ruling and opposition parties without exception in the scope of the special prosecutor."

With the Democratic Party expressing its willingness to accept the special prosecutor, a meeting between the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties is expected to take place at 4 p.m. at the National Assembly.

Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, also expressed his willingness to meet during a party caucus, but cautioned, "Since the Democratic Party holds power, if they insist on a special prosecutor that only targets the opposition under the pretense of fairness, the public will not tolerate it." Chief spokesperson Park Sunghoon commented, "Accepting the special prosecutor is only natural."

The Reform Party also welcomed the Democratic Party's acceptance of the special prosecutor. Party leader Lee Junseok emphasized at the Supreme Council meeting, "The special prosecutor that must pass this time should be exactly as originally proposed," and added, "A special prosecutor that attempts to dilute the issue through delay tactics is unacceptable."