Jeong Jeom-sik Says, "A Special Counsel Should Investigate the Ballots"; Hong Ik-pyo Says, "If the Two Parties Agree, Cheong Wa Dae Will Accept It"

[Financial News] Jeong Jeom-sik, the newly elected floor leader of the People Power Party, met with Hong Ik-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs at Cheong Wa Dae, on the 11th and said, "Sharp criticism may sound uncomfortable, but it is the opposition party's inherent role," adding, "Please reflect it in state affairs." Hong responded, "I will take the opposition's words to heart and use them as a reference in running state affairs." At the meeting, Jeong argued that a special counsel law should be introduced to investigate the shortage of ballot papers in the June 3 local elections, while Hong said Cheong Wa Dae would accept it if the two parties reached an agreement.
Hong visited the National Assembly that day to congratulate Jeong on taking office as floor leader. He delivered a congratulatory flower arrangement from President Lee Jae-myung to Jeong.
Jeong said, "What the public expects is not partisan conflict, but bipartisan cooperation for people's livelihoods," adding, "The People Power Party will also work with the Democratic Party to show its true nature as a party that focuses on people's livelihoods rather than confrontation."
Hong said, "There are sometimes disputes, but once an election is over, it is time for us to pool our wisdom and work for the country and the people," adding, "I believe you will do well by showing politics of unity and inclusion through communication between the ruling and opposition parties."
Regarding the parliamentary inquiry into the ballot paper issue, he said, "Please show leadership through the National Assembly special committee on the state investigation so that the damage to citizens' voting rights does not happen again, and so that fact-finding and institutional reforms can be carried out."
In the closed-door meeting that followed, Jeong reportedly said, "A state investigation and a joint investigation headquarters of prosecutors and police have been formed and are conducting the probe, but the investigation by prosecutors and police alone will not be enough," adding, "A special counsel must be appointed." Hong reportedly replied, "If the two parties agree, Cheong Wa Dae will accept it."
It was also reported that they discussed the confirmation hearing for Han Seong-sook, the nominee for prime minister. Choi Su-jin, floor spokesperson, explained, "(Hong) requested that the confirmation hearing for the prime minister be held quickly," and added, "He said they would cooperate to move the hearing forward as soon as possible and work to avoid any vacuum in state affairs."

haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter