The ruling Democratic Party of Korea and the main opposition People Power Party agreed on Thursday to begin formal consultations on procedures for appointing a special inspector, a key request from President Lee Jae-myung. The two parties also agreed to convene a National Assembly plenary session on November 23 to process non-contentious livelihood bills.
Democratic Party floor leader Han Byung-do and chief deputy floor leader Chun Jun-ho, along with People Power Party floor leader Song Eon-seok and chief deputy floor leader Yoo Sang-bum, reached the agreement during a luncheon meeting at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul.
"The ruling and opposition parties have decided to begin full-fledged consultations on procedures for appointing a special inspector," Chun told reporters after the luncheon. Yoo said, "The People Power Party has already selected and prepared a candidate for special inspector. If the Democratic Party actively pursues the candidate nomination process, the procedure will be completed swiftly."
President Lee had earlier requested on Wednesday that "the National Assembly initiate procedures to appoint a special inspector in order to establish public service discipline and enhance transparency in state affairs." The special inspector holds an independent position and is tasked with monitoring the president's relatives. It was also one of President Lee's campaign pledges.
Under the system, the president designates one of three candidates recommended by the National Assembly, and the appointment is finalized after a parliamentary confirmation hearing. The Democratic Party plans to proceed with inter-party consultations based on a past precedent in which one candidate was recommended by each of the ruling and opposition parties, along with one from the Korean Bar Association.
The two parties also agreed to process bills related to national agenda items and livelihood bills at the November 23 plenary session. "We will actively consult and process as many bills as possible," Chun said. The 30 non-contentious bills that were not handled at last week's plenary session are expected to be the primary subject of consultations.
The People Power Party also conveyed its position on pending issues during the luncheon. "We made clear our position that the party is calling on the president to dismiss Unification Minister Chung Dong-young over his continued problems," Yoo said. This referred to the controversy sparked last month when Minister Chung disclosed the location of North Korea's uranium enrichment facility (Kusong, North Pyongan Province) during a plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee without prior consultation with the United States. The U.S. side reportedly protested that sensitive information had been exposed and, in response, partially restricted the sharing of intelligence on North Korea.
