Changed United Future Party... Caution on Parliamentary Investigation over Yoon Mi-hyang Controversy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party, which was criticized for "opposition for the sake of opposition," is showing signs of change. Unlike in the past when it demanded state audits at every opportunity, it is now taking a cautious stance on the "Yoon Mi-hyang incident" state audit. Recognizing the reality that a state audit is impossible without the cooperation of the ruling party, it also emphasized consultation with the ruling party.

On the 20th, Hwang Bo-seung-hee, a United Future Party elected member, appeared on YTN Radio's "Noh Young-hee's Start Morning" and said, "Without the cooperation of the ruling party with 180 seats, a state audit is practically difficult," adding, "We need to consult well with the Democratic Party on whether to conduct a state audit, and I expect smooth cooperation between the United Future Party and the Democratic Party during the consultation process."

Lee Jun-seok, a Supreme Council member of the United Future Party, also appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" on the same day and said, "A state audit is not appropriate at this stage," adding, "We need to judge whether a prosecution investigation or a state audit is better. There are not as many subjects for the state audit as expected."

This suggests that even within the United Future Party, there is a cautious view regarding the state audit. On the 19th, Kim Sung-won, the United Future Party's senior deputy floor leader, announced plans to push for a state audit on Yoon Mi-hyang, a Democratic Party elected member, but floor spokesperson Bae Hyun-jin reversed the position, saying it was "too much." After articles claiming that the United Future Party had reversed its stance followed, spokesperson Bae emphasized again that it was not a reversal but an expression of determination to pursue it without missing it in the 21st National Assembly.

This is a different appearance from the past when state audits were demanded indiscriminately. Since the time of the Liberty Korea Party, the United Future Party pushed for state audits on the "three-gate" scandals including the Cho Kuk incident, Yoo Jae-soo inspection manipulation, Hwang Un-ha election manipulation, and Our Hospital financial manipulation. They also demanded a state audit on North Korean ships on the premise of supplementary budget (Chugyeong) review, but no actual state audit was conducted, only increasing controversy over "foot-dragging."

This change is not unrelated to the new floor leader Joo Ho-young visiting Gwangju as his first external schedule and apologizing for the 5.18 remarks, as well as emphasizing cooperation with the ruling party, showing a "pragmatic approach." There is also speculation that rather than pushing for a state audit with low possibility, the state audit card could be used as leverage in the distribution of standing committee chairmanships and other organizational matters.

Concerns remain that a reckless attack could fall into a "pro-Japanese frame." Although the atmosphere within the Democratic Party is gradually changing as suspicions about Yoon increase, there are still many hardline views that "there is nothing decisive." Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon also advised at a seminar held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 15th, "Do not attack the Democratic Party over the Justice and Peace Foundation incident."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.