On November 3, opposition lawmakers poured out statements calling for President Park Geun-hye to step down at the National Assembly. In July 2008, when the nation was illuminated by candlelight vigils, Kim Jong-ryul, a Democratic Party lawmaker at the time, had mentioned that President Lee Myung-bak step down during an interpellation query, but this is the first time that the president's resignation was discussed openly at the National Assembly in twelve years, since the Grand National Party (currently the Saenuri Party) pushed to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004.

Opposition lawmakers called for the president to withdraw her nomination of Kim Byung-joon as prime minister and to establish a coalition cabinet. They also argued for an investigation of the president in one voice.

This day, eleven lawmakers뾱ix from the Minjoo Party of Korea, three from the People's Party, one from the Justice Party and one independent뾢ach made a five-minute speech during the plenary session. The majority of these lawmakers officially demanded that the president step down.

Former leader of the People's Party Ahn Cheol-soo said, "The Park Geun-hye and Choi Soon-sil scandal is the worst political scandal to knock down the foundation of our country in all fields from the economy to culture, foreign affairs, and security, not to mention politics. The current situation cannot be resolved unless the president steps down." The Minjoo Party lawmaker Park Kwang-on said, "The president has already been politically impeached by the people." Justice Party lawmaker Lee Jeong-mi said, "President Park's term should not last any longer."

Opposition lawmakers called for the president to withdraw her nomination of Kim Byung-joon as prime minister and argued for a neutral cabinet.

The Minjoo Party lawmaker Lee Jong-kul said, "The president should withdraw the nomination of Kim and then delegate the right to appoint the new prime minister to the National Assembly. She should then delegate all rights to the prime minister including her right to appoint the cabinet." Lawmaker Kim Jong-min also said, "We need a prime minister with full authority appointed by the National Assembly." Lawmaker Park Kwang-on said, "The coalition cabinet will be a transitional cabinet serving until an early presidential election."

Lawmaker Lee Un-ju said, "If the president feels nervous about immediately ceasing her rule, the National Assembly should quickly discuss and recommend a cabinet. President Park should undergo an investigation." She further argued, "Then if the people want the president to step down, then that cabinet could function as a transitional cabinet." In other words, she suggested that they establish a coalition cabinet first, and discuss the president's resignation second.

Lawmaker Pyo Chang-won also presented a step-by-step solution beginning with the president announcing the truth to the nation. According to Pyo, if the president fails to persuade the public, she should voluntarily step down. If she refuses to resign, the National Assembly can motion an impeachment, followed by the establishment of a coalition cabinet, a neutral cabinet, and then an investigation by a special prosecutor and a parliamentary inspection to uncover the truth.

Statements pressuring the Saenuri Party also continued. The Minjoo Party lawmaker Song Young-gil said, "The ruling party should reclaim its position as a constitutional organization instead of a group of Cheong Wa Dae's political prisoners and be open to the possibility of an investigation of the president as well as the president's resignation. That would be the proper attitude of a lawmaker." Independent lawmaker Yoon Jong-o said, "Those who collaborated by allowing such abuse of state authority to continue for so long should voluntarily step down."
Not a single member of the Saenuri Party requested time to speak. No one responded to the National Assembly Secretariat's requests for applications. As soon as a vote on some bills ended, most of the Saenuri Party lawmakers left the hall. Less than a dozen Saenuri lawmakers remained seated during the free speeches. There were no boos or shouts, which used to pour out of the ruling party뭩 seats, even as the opposition party lawmakers made strong remarks.

The plenary session was held to discuss nineteen agenda including a bill on the protection and settlement support of North Korean refugees. This was the first bill passed by the first plenary session of the twentieth National Assembly.

Chairman of the National Assembly Chung Sye-kyun said in his opening remarks, "We are confused, unable to find direction before an unfortunate national incident. The people's despondency and despair is spreading and the anxiety over the country's future continues to pile up. The National Assembly must stand firm."