The floor leaders of three major political parties failed Monday to reach a compromise over when to convene an extraordinary parliamentary session and other key issues during their first regular meeting of the new year.
During the meeting presided over by National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, the floor leaders of the ruling Democratic Party (DP), the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) and the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party discussed when to hold an extraordinary parliamentary session for January to discuss pending political issues.
Also on the table was whether to hold a hearing over a former government official who claims to be a public interest whistleblower and push for a probe by an independent counsel into Cheong Wa Dae's alleged inspection of civilians.
Official Shin Jae-min has alleged that the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae abused its power over the country's tobacco maker and the finance ministry.
The political parties, however, have yet to reach a compromise on any of those key issues.
The DP views the two cases as deviant acts by individuals that do not involve the presidential office.
The National Assembly kicked off a 30-day extraordinary session on Dec. 17, but it has yet to decide on the schedule for the January session.