Kim Tae-nyeon: "Early ROK-US Summit Needed After Biden's Inauguration"

Urged to Focus on Diplomacy with the U.S.
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[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized the need to focus on diplomacy with the United States, stating that “an early South Korea-U.S. summit meeting is necessary after the inauguration” in relation to Joe Biden’s election as the U.S. president.

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 9th, Floor Leader Kim said, “Close communication is important so that the South Korean government’s position can be sufficiently reflected during the Biden administration’s review process of the Korean Peninsula and North Korea policies.”

He added, “The election of Biden, who has many ties with our country, is expected to serve as a foundation to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance,” and emphasized, “Biden, who has abundant experience and a deep understanding of the Korean Peninsula issue, can be a new opportunity for progress in the Korean Peninsula peace process.”

He continued, “Depending on our strategy and efforts, the role of mediator and facilitator can be further expanded, and the autonomy of inter-Korean relations can also be enhanced,” and said, “It is crucial to engage in diplomacy that discusses strategic cooperation between the two countries not only to support and cooperate with the Biden administration and the Korean Peninsula process but also to establish a new Northeast Asian cooperative order.” Floor Leader Kim urged, “I hope the government will demonstrate focus in diplomacy with the United States with a proactive attitude,” and added, “The Democratic Party will also support the advancement of the Korean Peninsula process through multifaceted parliamentary diplomacy.”

Regarding the deadline for the first recommendation of the candidate for the head of the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI), he emphasized, “The HOCI is a bastion of reform that disperses and checks prosecutorial power,” and said, “The HOCI must be launched to prevent political intervention, abuse of prosecutorial power, and covering up of insiders within the prosecution.”

Floor Leader Kim raised his voice, saying, “Chronic evils of prosecutorial power abuse such as targeted investigations, biased investigations, fabricated investigations, and lenient investigations still have not disappeared,” and “Recently, the prosecution has even shamelessly engaged in political behavior by investigating government policies and interfering in state affairs. They are trying to repeat political investigations aimed at shaking the administration.” He also criticized, “The prosecution’s political intervention is an old practice that regresses democracy.”

He then urged speeding up the completion of candidate recommendations within this month. Floor Leader Kim said, “I hope the HOCI Chief Recommendation Committee will recommend a candidate with passion and qualifications for reforming power institutions,” and added, “Since the start was delayed, please responsibly complete the candidate recommendation within November. I also hope the opposition party will actively cooperate in recommending the HOCI chief candidate.”

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