Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), speaks during a press conference marking his 100th day in office at the National Assembly, Wednesday. Yonhap

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), reiterated his call to appoint a special inspector to address concerns over first lady Kim Keon Hee, adding that many scandals associated with her are hampering the government's efforts to carry out various reform policies.

At a press conference marking his 100th day in office on Wednesday, the PPP chief said he will strongly push for the appointment of a special inspector to monitor and prevent misconduct related to the president's family members and aides amid an internal feud.

The special inspector system was established in 2014 to keep the presidential office clean of corruption. Its role is to look into alleged irregularities by the president's family members, including the spouse and close relatives, as well as presidential officials who are either equal to or above a senior presidential secretary in rank. However, the post has been vacant since 2016 following the resignation of the previous inspector. Under the law, the president should appoint one special inspector out of three candidates proposed by the National Assembly.

"It is clear that there are concerns surrounding the first lady. The special inspector system is an effective way to monitor and prevent corruption involving the president's family members and senior aides. It's absolutely necessary to appoint a special inspector and actively respond to pubic concerns," Han said.

On his relationship with President Yoon Suk Yeol, Han stressed that the government and the ruling party should function as one team to expedite major reforms on pensions, health care, education and labor. "I wish for the Yoon administration's success more than anybody else. That is why I feel a heavy responsibility to call for revamping state administration," Han said.

"Although the government has been unsuccessful in achieving the four major reforms so far, they cannot be given up. We must pursue them together. We can rebuild trust with the public if we show them we are dedicated to serving the people"

Han cited his push to form a four-way consultative body to break the impasse over the government's medical reform plans and abolish the financial investment income tax as his main accomplishments so far.

The PPP chief pressured the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to clearly state its stance on participating in the consultative body comprising major political parties, the government and doctors' groups.

"Resolving the medical crisis is the most important issue related to people's livelihoods nowadays," Han said.

He also urged the main opposition party to clarify its stance on North Korea's sending of troops to Russia. "Instead of denouncing South Korean support plans for Ukraine, the DPK should raise its voice on North Korea's reckless actions that threaten world peace," he said.

The PPP chief also accused the DPK of creating a constitutional crisis. Earlier this month, the DPK introduced a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into the first lady for the third time after two previous bills were scrapped in a revote. It also threatened to hold an outdoor rally against the Yoon administration on Saturday. "The DPK should stop its violent political behaviors in order to protect its scandal-ridden leader," Han said, referring to DPK leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung.