Joo Ho-young "Moon Jae-in Ignoring for 3 Months Without Response?"... Choi Jae-sung "We Need to Meet and Talk"

Cheong Choi Jae-sung Visits Joo Ho-young
Verbal Sparring Over '10 Questions' Demanding Opposition's Response
"Not Something to Answer in Writing"... "Too Frustrating, Will Request a Meeting"

Choi Jae-sung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, is meeting with Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] On the 26th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, demanded answers from the Blue House regarding '10 questions,' but after more than three months without a response, he said, "I feel we are being greatly ignored," and added, "I am so frustrated that I am thinking of requesting a meeting with President Moon Jae-in."

On the same day, Floor Leader Joo met with Choi Jae-sung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, at the National Assembly and delivered the '10 questions again addressed to the President,' making these remarks.

Earlier in July, Floor Leader Joo requested President Moon's stance on 10 issues including bipartisan cooperation, the willingness to reverse the nuclear phase-out policy, and allegations of sexual harassment against Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, but had not received any answers.

In response, Senior Secretary Choi explained the reason for not replying, saying, "The remarks given by the floor leader are not at a level where we can exchange written Q&A." He added, "I believe these are matters to be discussed in person," and said, "I expected that we could naturally have a direct conversation, but there was no word from the People Power Party." This was a veiled reference to Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, effectively rejecting the Blue House's proposal for a summit meeting and the failure to activate the permanent consultative body among the ruling and opposition parties and the government.

In response, Floor Leader Joo urged a change in the Blue House's attitude, saying, "In dealing with the Democratic Party and the Blue House, I have confirmed several times that such meetings are nothing more than mechanisms that force one-way communication, not forums that open hearts and listen to the opposition," and added, "If they were serious, they would listen to the opposition and have some willingness to accept it, or if not, at least have a final debate. But since they have no such intention, there is a widespread atmosphere that there is no need to meet."

Floor Leader Joo further said, "I am so frustrated that I am thinking of requesting a meeting with President Moon," and added, "I think there will probably be a request soon to meet the President to convey the thoughts of a significant number of citizens and to ask how the President thinks about these issues."

Senior Secretary Choi proposed, "Even if we meet and talk, it is important to have results and agreements," and suggested practical preliminary contact. Floor Leader Joo urged a response again, saying, "Delivering the '10 questions' again today itself is a preliminary step for such preparation."

Floor Leader Joo criticized, "From the perspective of the opposition and many citizens, there is severe communication failure. It is good to respectfully serve the President, but the dignity comes when the majority of the people love the President, not from being aloof like in the old royal court." In response, Senior Secretary Choi retorted, "We are not closing off precious feelings. We always ask and check the current status of the people."

Floor Leader Joo also emphasized the need for a special prosecution regarding the Lime and Optimus private equity fund scandals during the meeting. Senior Secretary Choi replied, "This is a matter for the ruling and opposition parties to discuss, not something the Blue House should be involved in," according to Floor Leader Joo.

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