President Moon Jae-in has reiterated the need for a prosecutorial reform.
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.
But he also warned it must not deepen conflict that results in political strife.
Park Hee-jun reports. President Moon Jae-in warned that differences in political opinion should not result in a deep political clash.
At a weekly meeting with his top aides on Monday, President Moon brought up the candle-light demonstrations for the first time.
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.
Rather, they're a show of direct democracy that complements the representative democracy system.
But he expressed concerns over the vigils potentially turning into a severe confrontation.
"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."
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.
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.
Such a message comes a week after the president ordered the prosecution to draw up its own reform plan.
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.
President Moon is seen to be trying to use this momentum to push ahead with his reform drive.
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.
During the meeting, President Moon also assured the people that his government is doing its best to repair the damage caused by Typhoon Mitag.
With more typhoons heading this way,... he called for close coordination with local governments to strengthen safety in disaster prone areas and facilities.
And he said the country is doing its utmost to contain the African swine fever and stop it from spreading south.
Park Hee-jun, Arirang News.