The main parties on Wednesday moved further from compromise on the opposition’s demand for a special probe into the government’s alleged electioneering. They instead continued their bickering over the “pro-North” controversy fueled by an anti-Park Geun-hye campaign by progressive religious leaders.

Party sources said the ruling Saenuri Party was near a decision not to accept the rival Democratic Party’s suggestion to set up a special committee to discuss the special parliamentary probe into the National Intelligence Service and other government and military organizations accused of campaigning online for then-candidate Park last year.

The Saenuri Party, which asked for three or four days to think the proposal through, reportedly agreed that accepting the DP’s committee idea would effectively be the same as opening a special probe ― something it is resolutely against.

“It is not (desirable) for the time being to immediately form a discussion committee. It seems we would have no escape route if we did so,” said Rep. Suh Chung-won, one of the closest associates of President Park.

The party instead decided to convene a general assembly on Thursday to finalize the decision.

Both parties are facing escalating pressure to scale back their political wrangling and concentrate on the pending budget review and major economic bills. They must also deal with the delayed appointment of the Board of Audit and Inspection chief.

The Saenuri Party is also reportedly toying with the idea of having former Saenuri Party member and Assembly speaker Kang Chang-hee put the BAI chief approval bill up for a vote using his discretion.

The party, meanwhile, continued to lambaste the Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice, amid signs of an anti-Park campaign spreading among other progressive religious groups.

The Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice has placed itself at the center of political dispute following its Mass on Friday, during which senior priest Park Chang-shin made remarks defending North Korea’s deadly attack on a South Korean island in 2010.

“Supporting North Korea’s argument over the Northern Limit Line and claiming there were irregularities in the ballot (for the presidential election) is a violation of the National Security Act and a spreading of false information,” said Saenuri Rep. Kim Jin-tae.

Saenuri secretary-general Rep. Hong Moon-jong demanded a halt to a scheduled rally by Socially Engaged Buddhist Sangha Association, a group of progressive monks belonging to the Jogye Order, to condemn the current government.

“The association that has been showing biased positions such as demanding the abolishment of the National Security Act and withdrawal of the U.S. troops here are planning a declaration.”

He said such moves would prompt conflict and division while defaming the fallen soldiers from the clash with North Korea.

The DP, for its part, struggled for a breakthrough as it faced growing criticism from the conservatives for aligning with allegedly pro-North forces and neglecting livelihood-related matters. As signs indicate the Saenuri Party is likely to turn down its special committee offer, the leadership is seen to have been pushed into a corner.

“If the Saenuri Party rejects our proposal, it is highly likely for the (dispute) to be driven over the edge as (the leadership) loses justification to persuade their staunch members of the party to seek compromise,” a party source said.

The party, nonetheless, continued to lash out at the ruling camp for turning the situation into a war against “pro-North” figures.

“The party, the government and Cheong Wa Dae are working as one to serve the president as if she is queen and are resorting to ignoring and condemning any opposition voices. They are playing their campaign against the ‘pro-North’ as their trump card by provoking conflict and hatred,” said DP floor leader Rep. Jun Byung-hun.

By Lee Joo-hee (jhl@heraldcorp.com)