U.S. Election Impacts

[Anchor Lead]

With Donald Trump's election as the new U.S. president, the ruling Saenuri Party says it will operate in emergency mode and discuss with experts measures to address the potential impacts his victory will bring.

[Pkg]

The Saenuri Party has entered emergency mode as it prepares for the launch of the Trump administration, with efforts including holding discussions with experts invited from various sectors. The ruling party asked the opposition bloc to at least begin confirmation hearings for top economic officials, noting growing uncertainties in matters of security and the economy.

[Soundbite] Chung Jin-suk(Saenuri Party Floor Leader) : "The Choi Soon-sil scandal at home is coupled with Trump's election abroad. I would like to first begin a confirmation hearing for Yim Jong-yong,the nominee for deputy prime minister for finance."

The Saenuri party made it clear that the opposition camp's call for the president to step back from state affairs amounts to nothing less than a demand for her resignation, but at the same time left room for a compromise, conceding that the president's departure from the party could be considered if the National Assembly recommends a prime minister with greater authority and a neutral Cabinet is formed. Saenuri Party chairman Lee Jung-hyun called former Minjoo Party of Korea head Moon Jae-in's call on the president to give up her authority as commander in chief and the right to proclaim martial law unconstitutional. and demanded an explanation.

[Soundbite] Lee Jung-hyun(Saenuri Party Chairman) : "I want explanations from Moon Jae-in regarding whether he is determined to end the constitutional government and state management."

However, former Saenuri chief Kim Moo-sung urged the president to make a decision for the sake of the nation, saying that the vacuum in state management should not last any longer. Representative Yoo Seung-min called for an end to in-fighting between pro-Park and anti-Park factions, saying that all must gather together to pursue unity for the survival of the party.