President Moon Jae-in has reiterated the need for a prosecutorial reform.<br />During a meeting with his top aides earlier today,... he said it's positive that people are taking to the streets to express their political opinions.<br />But he also warned it must not deepen conflict that results in political strife.<br />Park Hee-jun reports. President Moon Jae-in warned that differences in political opinion should not result in a deep political clash.<br />At a weekly meeting with his top aides on Monday, President Moon brought up the candle-light demonstrations for the first time.<br />According to Moon, the demonstrations -- some demanding reform and others calling for the expulsion of controversial Justice Minister Cho Kuk -- are not signs of division.<br />Rather, they're a show of direct democracy that complements the representative democracy system.<br />But he expressed concerns over the vigils potentially turning into a severe confrontation.<br />"It would be undesirable for differences in political opinion to go beyond a lively debate and turn into an overwhelming conflict that engulfs our politics. Now that many people have expressed their opinions and society has listened to them, I ask that we now gather our wisdom to resolve the issue according to procedure."<br />Asked whether President Moon was implying that the people should refrain from further demonstrations,... a senior Blue House official said it's up to the press to interpret his remarks.<br />Saying that the public is united it its demands for the prosecution's reform -- Moon reminded the Ministry of Justice and the prosecution that they need to work together to make it happen.<br />Such a message comes a week after the president ordered the prosecution to draw up its own reform plan.<br />It ups the pressure on Prosecutor-General Yoon Seok-yeol,... who has been blasted for the extensive probe into the corruption allegations surrounding Minister Cho and his family.<br />President Moon is seen to be trying to use this momentum to push ahead with his reform drive.<br />He instructed parliament to hasten the legislative process for creating an independent body that investigates high-ranking government officials and transfers more investigative rights to the police.<br />During the meeting, President Moon also assured the people that his government is doing its best to repair the damage caused by Typhoon Mitag.<br />With more typhoons heading this way,... he called for close coordination with local governments to strengthen safety in disaster prone areas and facilities.<br />And he said the country is doing its utmost to contain the African swine fever and stop it from spreading south.<br />Park Hee-jun, Arirang News.<br />
