National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik criticized Acting President Han Duck-soo, who did not attend the government questions at the National Assembly on the 14th, saying he is "irresponsible."
Speaker Woo noted ahead of the government questions that morning, "Today, the Prime Minister unilaterally failed to attend the government questions. There was no agreement from the two negotiating groups (Democratic Party and People Power Party), and there was no approval from the Speaker."
Recently, some in the People Power Party have raised the theory of 'drafting' Han as the presidential candidate. Therefore, it was anticipated that the Democratic Party would target Han regarding presidential candidacy questions and attacks during the government questions on that day.
Speaker Woo said, "As far as the records show, whether it is the Prime Minister or the Acting President, such an event has never occurred until now," adding, "The government questions during the April special session have been scheduled for a long time, so it is unreasonable to fail to attend citing other schedules."
He continued, "While citing urgent issue checks and field visits as reasons, it is difficult to accept," and asked, "Is it the case that the Prime Minister alone will fill the governance vacuum, or does he think communication with the National Assembly is unnecessary?"
Speaker Woo emphasized, "The government questions are a venue where the National Assembly asks the government on behalf of the people, as stipulated in the Constitution and the National Assembly Act," and added, "Article 62, Section 2 of the Constitution states that 'The Prime Minister and Commissioners must attend and answer when there is a request from the National Assembly or committees.'"
He further stated, "Attendance at the National Assembly is not optional but a constitutional obligation to realize the sovereignty of the people," and questioned, "We must ask whether the Prime Minister's absence disregards the Constitution, the National Assembly, or the people."
Speaker Woo also said, "The government questions will continue until the day after tomorrow" and reiterated the obligation for the attendance of the Prime Minister and government officials. "The people are watching," he added.