Prime Minister Kim: "Lee Jun-seok is the hippest these days... Discussing policies and bills together with the opposition party"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is greeting Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who visited the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 16th, "These days, I met the so-called most 'Hip' person, Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party," adding, "If it is for the people, the form and method do not matter. We will create a platform where the government can discuss policies and bills together with the opposition."

Visiting the National Assembly in the morning to meet Lee, the leader of the People Power Party, Prime Minister Kim wrote on his social media (SNS) in the afternoon, "It was an occasion to congratulate the party leader's election and propose cooperation." He said, "The government and the ruling party closely discuss major policies through the party-government council, but consultation between the government and the ruling party alone is not enough. Bipartisan cooperation between ruling and opposition lawmakers is absolutely necessary."

He also emphasized, "Since my nomination as prime minister, I promised that I would not hesitate to consult and seek cooperation with the opposition if it is for the people," adding, "Isn't the sole goal of politics and administration to serve the lives of the people?"

Prime Minister Kim urged the passage of livelihood bills in the National Assembly, saying, "There are many tasks to be solved immediately to overcome the COVID-19 crisis." These include the 'Small Business Support Act,' which establishes the basis for supporting small business damages, and follow-up bills to the 2.4 real estate supply plan such as the 'Public Housing Special Act' and the 'Urban Maintenance Act.'

He further stressed, "Discussion and cooperation on the supplementary budget (additional budget) for the second disaster relief fund payment are also essential," adding, "It is about returning the tax revenue collected more than expected to the people, serving as a primer to revive the low-income economy and strengthening the neighborhood economy."

Regarding Lee, the leader of the People Power Party, Prime Minister Kim said, "The election of the first-ever party leader in his 30s in constitutional history is not only a great transformation in our political history but also a strong public will demanding new changes and reforms throughout society," adding, "Although the ruling and opposition parties and the government have different views, I hope that we can respond to these public expectations and create new politics desired by the people through communication and cooperation. I will make great efforts starting with myself."