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President Park Geun-hye's new chief of staff held talks with the head of the ruling Saenuri Party and the parliamentary speaker Monday but failed to meet opposition leaders, as the embattled chief executive is calling for a meeting of political leaders to resolve the burgeoning scandal surrounding her confidante.
Park appointed Han Gwang-ok as her chief secretary Thursday as part of a personnel reshuffle aimed at coping with the fallout caused by allegations that Choi Soon-sil engaged in influence peddling and secured unlawful benefits.
"I would like to request a chance to meet leaders from the ruling and opposition parties amid the challenging times," Han told Lee Jung-hyun, the head of the Saenuri Party. "The parliament plays a crucial role in overcoming the present challenges."
Han's request came after Park delivered her second apology last week, where the president vowed to answer questions on the matter by a special prosecutor, while requesting that leaders of political parties meet to seek solutions to the crisis.
"We can also discuss the issues surrounding the Prime Minister-designate Kim Byong-joon," the chief of staff said. Opposition parties have been protesting against the nomination, adding the parliament should have taken part in the decision-making process related to the designation.
Han added Park's health is not good, and she is severely depressed.
At the meeting, Lee asked the opposition parties to respond to the request for talks, adding if a meeting takes place, discussions on matters, such as establishing a neutral Cabinet, can be held. A Cabinet made up of officials recommended from the ruling and opposition parties could be a solution to Park's current leadership crisis.
Han also met Rep. Park Jie-won, the floor leader of the splinter People's Party, where the party whip said there can be no meeting before the president withdraws the designation of Kim and gives up her membership in the Saenuri Party.
Han said National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyung also promised to make efforts to successfully arrange a meeting among parties and the president.
The main opposition Democratic Party, however, declined to meet Han, adding Park should first promise to hand over power to a prime minister designated by parliament.
Amid growing calls for the president to play only a nominal role in running the country, the presidential office said that if approved by the legislature, Prime Minister-designate Kim will be given the "entire scope of authority" allowed under the current law.
"(The president) will give the new prime minister powerful authority," a presidential official told reporters, declining to be named.
The official, however, showed reluctance over the opposition parties' demand that Park clearly state she would "take a back seat" to a new prime minister.
"The question is whether the prime minister will have substantial authority in carrying out his duties," he said. "I don't think the wording itself is important."
(YONHAP)
