President concerned over political turmoil

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Tue, October 3, 2023 | 00:27

Politics

President concerned over political turmoil

Posted : 2019-05-02 16:59

Updated : 2019-05-02 20:03

President Moon Jae-in makes his opening remarks at the start of a luncheon with 13 invited senior opinion leaders at Cheong Wa Dae, Thursday. Yonhap

By Kim Yoo-chul

President Moon Jae-in expressed concerns about the deepening political turmoil over fast-tracked reform bills, Cheong Wa Dae said, Thursday.

"I have to say I have lots of concerns and worries about society. My biggest concern is that we are seeing increased hostility among citizens and politicians. I will try my best to endorse different political views according to political parties," Moon said during a meeting with senior opinion leaders at Cheong Wa Dae, the presidential office said in a press release.

"As the President, I'm not in a position to step in on ongoing investigations over the alleged misconduct of former governments. But my personal thoughts are that if anything unconstitutional happened in former governments, then that's an action against the Constitution. It's not an easy thing to make compromises," Moon told participants.

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President Moon invited 13 senior opinion leaders including former Prime Minister Lee Hong-koo, Supreme Court Justice Kim Young-ran and National Intelligence Service chief Lee Jong-chan to Cheong Wa Dae in a move to seek advice on civil affairs.

Conflicts between conservatives of the Liberty Korea Party (LKP) and other parties on the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) drive to endorse the fast-tracking of electoral reform bills are growing. LKP politicians declined to endorse the fast-tracking of bills that affect the election law as the country's main opposition party is worrying over the passage of the bills. If the bills are enacted, then that could potentially reduce the number of LKP seats in the National Assembly.

The Cheong Wa Dae statement added President Moon asked leaders of the opposition and ruling parties to come together to resolve the political conflict.

Four LKP politicians shaved their heads Thursday afternoon as an apparent protest against the fast-tracking of the bills. Local prosecutors are scheduled to review charges filed against nearly 70 lawmakers across all parties following a recent clash between angry politicians at the Assembly, according to local media reports.

About 40 of the 70 people charged are LKP politicians, sources said. Those found in violation of a law that addresses social conduct at the Assembly will be banned from running for office for a decade, they said.

The ruling party urged LKP lawmakers to return to National Assembly sessions, pointing out a host of bills remain pending on improving the livelihoods of the people at a time of economic difficulty. The government has also proposed supplementary budgets.

yckim@koreatimes.co.kr