The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Friday stepped up pressure on President Park Geun-hye to step aside and allow a new parliament-formed Cabinet to handle state affairs, calling her second apology insufficient.

“The president is only fixed on how she can retain and extend her rule,” Rep. Choo Mi-ae, the liberal party’s chairwoman, said in response to the president’s nationally televised mea culpa.

Facing accusations that she let her civilian friend meddle in state affairs, Park said that she would undergo special investigation, if necessary. Park also said she would consult with leaders of ruling and opposition parties more often.

The Democratic Party said that Park should meet three conditions for any talks to be realized: cancel the designation of Kim Byong-joon as prime minister, accept a special counsel probe led by a truly independent team, not appointed by Park herself, and a parliamentary investigation.

“If the president really feels she’s responsible for the current paralysis of state affairs, she should accept (those measures,)” Rep. Choo said.

Earlier in the week, the embattled conservative leader appointed two former opposition figures as the prime minister and her chief of staff, which were widely taken as a sign that Park would fight her biggest political crisis her own way.

The appointments, however, further angered the liberal camp, which controls the parliament, as they came as a surprise without any prior communication with opposition parties.

Some party figures are even mooting a possible campaign to oust her, emboldened by polls showing Park’s approval ratings in free fall.

Moon Jae-in, the Democratic Party’s former chief and a presidential hopeful, said that with many Koreans demanding her removal from office, Park has no option but to relinquish her power to a National Assembly-formed Cabinet, if she wants to stay in office.

“The president’s apology doesn’t show sincere self-reflection. She is trying to evoke sympathy with her apology and by consenting to undergo a probe,” he said.

The ruling Saenuri Party, meanwhile, said it was a sincere, heart-felt apology and urged opposition parties to together seek ways to address the crisis of leadership.

“President Park admitted her failure, volunteered to undergo investigation and sought help in the current crisis,” said Rep. Chung Jin-suk, Saenuri’s whip.

“She showed her willingness to discuss with the legislature and opposition parties,” he said.

Saenuri’s 129 lawmakers issued an apology, saying they, too, have done wrong by not doing enough to prevent the current situation.

“The party will cooperate fully with the ongoing prosecutorial probe and make utmost efforts to help unearth the truth behind the Choi Soon-sil scandal,” the joint statement read.

By Korea Herald staff / ()


koreaherald@heraldcorp.com