President Park Geun-hye has apologized for and expressed her deep concern about the wrangling over the government restructuring bill at the National Assembly.
President Park emphasized that the bill, which includes plans to create a new science ministry, aims to improve the livelihoods of the people through the creation of a new growth engine that's based on the convergence of information and broadcasting communications technologies.
She made it clear that she will push ahead with her plan to transfer broadcast policy planning from the Korea Communications Commission to the new science ministry, despite the strong objections of the main opposition party.


"The plan is a reflection of my belief and governing philosophy, and I believe that the nation's future depends on this. I, as the president of Korea, will not back down on this issue, with a desperate heart, for the future of the country."

President Park added that her government has already revised a large part of the original bill to reflect the main opposition party's primary concerns. and re-iterated that the transfer of broadcast policy is non-negotiable.


"If we take out this essential part of the bill, the new science ministry will lose its purpose and there will be no need to even set one up. So this is why I cannot compromise on the issue, especially for the people.

The president emphasized that the bill does not reflect any political interests.. nor does it represent a government intention to take control of the broadcasting industry, as the main opposition party has suggested.


"President Park called on lawmakers to pass the bill before the National Assembly's extraordinary session ends on Tuesday, and once again invited ruling and opposition party leaders to meet with her at the presidential office, an invitation that was rejected by the opposition party on Sunday.
Eoh Jin-joo, Arirang News."

Reporter : jjeoh@arirang.co.kr