Innovation Party Voices Concerns Over Han Chansik; Hong Ikpyo Says "Prosecutorial Reform Will Proceed as Desired by the People"

Hong Ikpyo, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, Pays Courtesy Visit to Kim Junhyung, Innovation Party Floor Leader
Calls for Bipartisan Cooperation and Emphasizes the Role of a Third Party

The Blue House and the Progressive Party of Korea reaffirmed their commitment to prosecutorial reform on June 22. Hong Ikpyo, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, requested bipartisan cooperation from Kim Junhyung, floor leader of the Progressive Party.

On this day, Senior Secretary Hong paid a courtesy visit to Kim Junhyung, who had just been appointed as the new floor leader of the Progressive Party. Park Byeong-eon, spokesperson for the Progressive Party, explained that during the meeting, they discussed ways to cooperate on major state affairs. Park stated, "Floor Leader Kim held a closed-door meeting with Senior Secretary Hong to discuss measures for cooperation on state affairs," adding, "Both parties shared concerns over the decline in government approval ratings following the local elections, as the Progressive Party played a role in launching the Lee Jaemyung administration together." Park further noted, "Floor Leader Kim conveyed that the Progressive Party will do its utmost to strengthen the administration’s momentum."

Kim Junhyung, the newly appointed floor leader of the Progressive Party of Korea, is shaking hands with Hong Ikpyo, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, who visited the National Assembly on June 22, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

At the meeting, Floor Leader Kim raised concerns about growing conflicts within the democratic reform coalition and about the appointment of Han Chansik as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs at the Blue House. In response, Senior Secretary Hong clarified, "There are some misunderstandings," and emphasized, "Prosecutorial reform will proceed in a way that reflects the people's wishes."

Additionally, spokesperson Park reported, "The Progressive Party conveyed its deep concerns regarding the recent conflicts within the democratic progressive reform bloc." In response to observations that the president’s emphasis on unity appeared to signal a shift toward conservatism, Senior Secretary Hong was quoted as saying, "That is not the case."

Senior Secretary Hong also reportedly mentioned the role of the Progressive Party. According to spokesperson Park, "(Senior Secretary Hong stated that) while the relationship between the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party remains the most important, the stalemate between the two parties makes the role of the Progressive Party even more crucial," adding, "He emphasized that the Progressive Party’s role is essential to resolving the political deadlock and enabling a focus on pressing livelihood issues."

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