Park Suhyun "Moon-Lee Junseok Meeting Probably Next Week... Cannot Confirm Coordination"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Park Su-hyun, Blue House Chief of Communication, predicted that a summit meeting between President Moon Jae-in and Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, could take place as early as next week. Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol's remark about 'working 120 hours a week,' he responded, "Our country's annual working hours are still 300 hours longer than the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)."

On the morning of the 21st, Chief Park appeared consecutively on YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Start Morning' and BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' for interviews, where he made these remarks.

When asked by the host about when the summit meeting might be possible, Chief Park said, "Considering the current situation in the National Assembly, probably next week," adding, "I hope this happens as soon as possible, but since each party has its own circumstances, I cannot say how the coordination will proceed."

He continued, "As far as I know, the Office of Political Affairs is operating a party-government-Blue House consultative body and is engaging in various behind-the-scenes talks to make it happen."

Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon's comment that the Moon administration's '52-hour workweek' system failed and his suggestion to 'work hard for 120 hours a week,' Chief Park said, "It is not at all appropriate to comment on the remarks of a specific politician," but pointed out, "Although our country's annual working hours are decreasing, they are still the third longest among OECD countries after Mexico and Chile, and 300 hours longer annually than the average."

He also expressed President Moon's determination to continue working-level negotiations between Korea and Japan despite the cancellation of the visit to Japan. Chief Park said, "Even if not triggered by this Olympics, I hope the two countries will continue dialogue based on the friendly exchanges and progress made so far, and President Moon has also given such instructions."

Describing the circumstances at the time of the visit cancellation, Chief Park revealed, "The President received the final report and expressed his regret several times by saying 'It is very unfortunate.'"

Regarding the disciplinary action against Soma, the Japanese charg? d'affaires who made offensive remarks toward the President, no measures have been announced yet. Chief Park said, "The Chief Cabinet Secretary's expression of regret was very formal," but added, "Since this issue involves a promise made by Japan, we will just wait and see."

Regarding an editorial in a Japanese daily that implied "Korea has become a country that Japan treats carelessly," Chief Park said, "I cannot agree with the one-sided claim that the responsibility for Korea-Japan relations lies solely with our side," and added, "The working-level coordination between Korea and Japan proceeded amicably, and the Japanese side also expressed regret over the cancellation of President Moon's visit."

On the issue of quarantine, responding to criticism that communication between Kim Mo-ran, the Quarantine Planning Officer, and Jung Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is not functioning properly, he rebutted, "This is not true," but also expressed regret, "Regarding the cluster infection issue in the Cheonghae Unit, I have nothing to say to the public, parents, and soldiers," conveying his apology.

Regarding the Cheonghae Unit, Chief Park revealed that the President "(President Moon) is truly saddened and distressed," and "Therefore, as soon as he received the report, he immediately ordered the dispatch of an air refueling transport aircraft at a staff meeting, something no one had thought of before."

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