Rep. Choo Mi-ae, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, on Monday proposed talks with President Park Geun-hye to discuss a way to address a political impasse sparked by a corruption scandal involving the president's longtime confidante.
Her party officials said Choo made the overture for dialogue to Han Gwang-ok, Park's chief of staff, early this morning.
The proposal followed the weekend's massive rally in downtown Seoul, which called for Park's resignation. The Democratic Party, along with other opposition parties, joined the rally where organizers said some 1 million citizens gathered.
"I am seeking a chance to talk heart to heart with President Park to discuss the public sentiment and find solutions (to the current political deadlock)," Choo said during the party's decision-making Supreme Council session.
Choo added that the scene of students taking to the street with the entire nation concerned about the current political turmoil has been "weighing heavily" on her mind.
The presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said it would review whether to hold the two-way meeting.
The president previously proposed a meeting among her and the leaders of both ruling and opposition parties.
"There could be various formats of dialogue, and we have proposed talks with the heads of all major parties," Jung Youn-kuk told reporters.
"We will let the public know immediately when a decision is reached (regarding the dialogue proposal)."
Asked about the possibility of Park making a third apology to the nation, Jung said that the president is pondering "all possible ways" to defuse the political crisis facing her.
The largest opposition party has so far demanded that Park publicly declare she retreat from state affairs, a move to make the president a ceremonial head of state. But the presidential office has indicated that Park will exercise her lawful authority enshrined in the Constitution, such as her control over the military.
Meanwhile, the prosecution plans to question Park as a "witness" on Tuesday or Wednesday in a face-to-face format over her possible involvement in the corruption scandal linked to her longtime friend Choi Soon-sil, who has been charged with abuse of authority and attempted fraud.
The probe will mark the first time a sitting South Korean president will face a formal prosecutorial investigation. (Yonhap)
