Policy Task Forces

[Anchor Lead]

Political parties also convened emergency meetings to analyze the potential impacts Donald Trump's election will have on South Korea. The government and the ruling Saenuri Party have decided to form task forces in sectors of diplomacy, security and the economy to operate around the clock.

[Pkg]

In order to analyze and discuss potential impacts of Donald Trump's election, the ruling Saenuri Party will invite experts of state-run economic, foreign affairs and security think tanks to a meeting of its Supreme Council on Thursday. In an emergency meeting with the government on Wednesday, it agreed to form pan-government task forces on key sectors and operate them around the clock.

[Soundbite] Lee Jung-hyun(Saenuri Party Chairman) : "We will work to safeguard peace onthe Korean Peninsula by maintaining ironclad joint defense posture through strong alliance with the U.S."

Following Trump's victory, the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea also convened a meeting on foreign affairs and security. It stressed the need to pursue a new type of Seoul-Washington alliance, which will serve South Korea's national interest. The main opposition party also proposed to influence the Trump administration through proactive diplomacy efforts toward the U.S.

[Soundbite] Park Kyung-mi(Spokeswoman, The Minjoo Party of Korea) : "We desperately need wisdom to protect our nationalinterest in North Korea policies and security."

The minor opposition People's Party assessed that Trump's election can serve as an opportunity for South Korea to embrace new and independent diplomatic U.S. relations. It then proposed to set up experts' panels at the National Assembly and open dialogue channels with the new U.S. Congress and government.

[Soundbite] Sohn Geum-joo(Spokesman, People's Party) : "We should stay focused and strengthen bipartisandiplomacy with the U.S. government and Congress."

Presidential hopefuls of both the ruling and opposition parties presented various responses, saying that public opinion is of greatest significance and that South Korea also needs to seek new leadership.