야당들 공조, 대통령 수사 압박+여당 차기대선주자 오후 회동
Amid the ongoing investigation, Korea's opposition bloc is presenting a united front on the situation.
On the other side of the aisle, however, the ruling Saenuri Party, is very much divided.
Park Ji-won has the latest from the parliament.
Korea's opposition parties have decided to press ahead with efforts to seek an independent counsel investigation for the Choi Soon-sil case and called on President Park Geun-hye to cooperate.
The decision was made at a joint meeting Tuesday morning between the floor leaders of the three opposition parties -- the Democratic Party, the People's Party and the Justice Party.
"The three opposition parties will pursue an independent counsel investigation through the passage of a special law to reveal the truth about the scandal."
"The opposition parties have rejected the ruling party's proposal to form a coalition cabinet comprising both ruling and opposition party officials... and urged ruling Saenuri Party leaders to take responsibility for the situation."
"The Saenuri Party has reportedly already recommended politicians who once served in the opposition... as potential prime minister nominees. This is nonsense. The ruling party was planning to appoint a cabinet with their own choices,... pretending it was a coalition."
"If the Saenuri Party feels even the slightest responsibility, it should urge the president to make up her mind... and the party itself should also take responsibility for the situation."
The issue has divided the Saenuri Party.
A group of first- and second-term lawmakers... and several lawmakers who aren't part of the party's pro-Park faction... have urged party leaders to step down.
They also say they agree with the opposition on the need for an independent counsel investigation on any terms.
"Once again we've reached the conclusion that the entire party leadership should take responsibility and resign."
Five of the party's presidential hopefuls,... including former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former party chair Kim Moo-sung,... also called on the current leadership to step down to give the party at a chance at a fresh start.
The five spoke to reporters after a closed-door meeting Tuesday afternoon.
The Saenuri leadership, however, is refusing the calls to resign.
They say resolving the situation is the priority.
The party is slated to hold a general meeting of all its lawmakers Wednesday.
Park Ji-won, Arirang News.
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