Minjoo Pushes for National Investigation into Yangpyeong Expressway... All-Out Offensive Targeting Yoon Couple

Democratic Party Demands Current Issue Inquiries from Land, Operations, and Budget Committees
People Power Party Skeptical Except for Already Agreed Land Committee Inquiries

The Democratic Party of Korea has expressed its intention to push for a "state audit" regarding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway controversy. In addition to the already agreed Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, the party plans to launch an all-out offensive through related standing committee inquiries such as the Steering Committee. However, the People Power Party is negative about schedules other than the Land Committee inquiries. In particular, they reject the state audit, calling it a "political dispute."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th, regarding the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway controversy, "We formally and confidently request the government and ruling party," and added, "Let's start a state audit." Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party, revealed specific response directions. At the meeting, Park said, "We need to convene not only the National Assembly Land Committee but also the Steering Committee to uncover the truth," and insisted, "A special audit at the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly level is also necessary." He continued, "If the public is not convinced through this process, we must immediately start a state audit."

The ruling and opposition parties have tentatively agreed to hold a full meeting of the Land Committee on the 17th. Kim Jeong-jae of the People Power Party and Choi In-ho of the Democratic Party, who serve as secretaries for the Land Committee from both sides, agreed on the 7th to hold a full committee meeting for inquiries related to the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway. Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who declared the cancellation of the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway, is also expected to attend and respond. Both the opposition and ruling parties are showing determination, citing responses to fake news and other issues.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In addition, the Democratic Party has requested the convening of the National Assembly Steering Committee. The Democratic Party's floor leadership submitted a "Standing Committee Convening Request" to Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, asking to hold the Steering Committee at 10 a.m. on the 14th. A Democratic Party floor official explained, "The Steering Committee has only been held once in the first half of the year, so there are many questions to ask," and added, "Since the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway controversy ultimately involves the president's family, it must be addressed in the Steering Committee." Furthermore, whether there was prior consultation with the Presidential Office during Minister Won's cancellation process is also expected to become a key issue.

However, it is uncertain whether the Presidential Office and others will actually attend and respond to inquiries. The People Power Party regards the convening of the Steering Committee itself as a political dispute, and Yoon Jae-ok's 100-day press conference is scheduled. Therefore, even if the Steering Committee is held, it is highly likely that the standing committee will continue with only opposition party members.

The Democratic Party is also known to hold the position that the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway issue should be addressed in the Strategy and Finance Committee. There are aspects to be examined at the committee level, such as the original plan passing preliminary feasibility studies but later being revised. The schedule for the Strategy and Finance Committee is also under discussion, but the standing committee schedule has not yet been set due to overlapping issues such as fiscal rules.

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the "Brown Bag Meeting" with the press corps held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed his intention to respond to the controversy at the level of the Land Committee full meeting inquiry during a meeting with reporters that day. Yoon said, "Typically, the ruling party might delay or avoid holding a standing committee on such an issue (Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway), but since fake news agitation is rampant now, we judged that it is better to actively explain and agreed to hold the standing committee," and explained, "From the People Power Party's standpoint, the Land Committee standing committee will be held on the 17th, so if there are any questions or issues to raise, we will do so sufficiently, and if there is anything to clarify, we will clarify." He intends to address the issue through the Land Committee full meeting.

He was cynical about the state audit proposed by Lee. Yoon said, "What the political world should do is not to engage in political disputes or agitation, but to focus on how to remove this dispute and how to respect the wishes of local residents since the project was halted and faced a crisis due to the dispute," and added, "The proposal for a state audit is interpreted as an intention to expand the political dispute." Jeon Ju-hye, spokesperson for the People Power Party floor, also criticized through a statement, saying, "A state audit is not something to be wielded recklessly like a rusty sword by Jo Ja-ryong," and added, "Lee suddenly proposed a state audit on the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway controversy. He is producing and agitating fake news originating from Lee Jae-myung, claiming that the Yoon Seok-yeol government is trying to cover up allegations involving the president's family."

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