Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, noted on the 16th regarding the addition of South Korea to the list of 'sensitive countries' that the United States could restrict technology cooperation with, that 'there are parts that the government did not grasp in advance. Since this is a government error, it should accept criticism for it.' He also urged the Constitutional Court to quickly reach a conclusion on the impeachment trial of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo for a close diplomatic response to the U.S.
On that day, Kweon, the floor leader, held a press conference in the National Assembly and said, 'I received a report from the government.'
Kweon, the floor leader, said, 'Although technology cooperation between South Korea and the United States will not be limited immediately, the government and ruling party are taking this matter seriously,' adding that 'the government is in close consultation with the relevant agencies of the U.S. Trump administration regarding this issue.'
He emphasized that the inadequate response to this designation of sensitive countries also has consequences of a governance paralysis due to the 'acting president's acting' system.
Kweon, the floor leader, stated, 'Today marks the 80th day since Prime Minister Han has been suspended from duty. It has been 80 days since both the president and the prime minister were simultaneously suspended, leaving us without a control tower,' and added, 'We have already squandered a significant part of the golden time at the national level.'
In response to some opposition party members analyzing that the designation of sensitive countries was due to the claims of ruling party figures advocating 'nuclear armament,' he said, '(Regarding the designation of sensitive countries), I understand that the U.S. has not shared this with other departments. That analysis is merely the analysis of a few and cannot be viewed as the official position of the U.S. government,' and added, 'The government plans to persuade and clarify this matter with the U.S., so it is appropriate to observe this background a bit more.'
He reiterated the call for the impeachment trial of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to reach a conclusion promptly in order to respond comprehensively to trade diplomacy such as the designation of sensitive countries.
Kweon, the floor leader, remarked, 'In the system where the president and the prime minister are both in a simultaneous suspension state, it is difficult to respond promptly and closely at a high level regarding such diplomatic and trade issues. In this era of trade and tariff wars, it is insufficient even to cooperate across party lines, and the control tower of the executive branch has become paralyzed due to the chain impeachment by the large opposition party.'
He urged, 'A dismissal or dismissal ruling regarding Prime Minister Han should be made today at the latest.'
He continued, 'Even in difficult circumstances, I will work closely with Acting Choi Sang-mok and the executive branch to ensure that there is no negative impact on U.S.-South Korea energy and science and technology cooperation.'