Yoon Holds First Lunch with People Power Party Leadership: "Let's Move as One Body Between Party and Government" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Yoon-Kookmin Party Leadership Luncheon
Yoon Does Not Mention Internal Party Situation
Instead Emphasizes 'Party and Government as One'
Lee Jun-seok: "Relationship Between Party and Presidential Office Will Grow Stronger"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol clearly stated on the 10th that he would not interfere in internal issues of the People Power Party, while emphasizing that the party and government should work as one to carry out national tasks.

President Yoon held a luncheon meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office from 12:00 PM for about an hour and a half. Attendees included Party Leader Lee Jun-seok, Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong, Supreme Council members Cho Su-jin, Jung Mi-kyung, Yoon Young-seok, Kim Yong-tae, Policy Committee Chairperson Sung Il-jong, Secretary-General Han Ki-ho, Deputy Floor Leader Song Eon-seok, as well as Presidential Chief of Staff Kim Dae-gi, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Lee Jin-bok, Senior Secretary for Public Relations Choi Young-beom, and Spokesperson Kang In-seon.

According to attendees, President Yoon did not make any political remarks regarding internal party conflicts or detailed national tasks during the meeting. A presidential office official also stated, "There was no discussion about topics or current issues," adding, "President Yoon urged that the party and government move as one to carry out national tasks."

The decision not to mention internal party issues reflects the president’s clear distinction of his role and his intention not to intervene in current party matters. On his way to work that day, President Yoon told reporters, "Isn’t that what politics is about?" and said, "The president is the head of the nation, not the head of the party, so it is appropriate to observe party matters."

Instead, President Yoon reportedly spoke about the opening day of Yongsan Park, responses to North Korea’s nuclear tests, the Cargo Solidarity Union strike, and the naming of the presidential office.

Regarding the name of Yongsan Park, he said, "It sounds cool to call it the National Memorial Park in English, but calling it 국립추모공원 (National Memorial Park in Korean) doesn’t sound as appealing, so I’m not sure what the name should be in our language." He also expressed concern about the presidential office’s name, for which five candidates have been shortlisted: Gukmin-ui Jip (House of the People), Gukmin Cheongsa (People’s Government Building), Min-eum Cheongsa, Bareunnuri, and Itaewon-ro 22.

On North Korea’s nuclear tests, he reportedly said, "A response plan has been prepared." Regarding the Cargo Solidarity Union strike, he mentioned, "There can be no politics against labor."

President Yoon particularly listened attentively to Leader Lee’s account of the situation in Ukraine and his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. President Yoon expressed regret, saying, "There are some domestic and international legal issues regarding our support system, so I hope a conclusion is reached soon. If Leader Lee goes as a special envoy, there would be more to do, but the conclusion has not been reached yet."

Following President Yoon’s remarks and the announcement that he will attend the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain, on the 29th and 30th of this month, the verbal dispute between Leader Lee and Assemblyman Jeong Jin-seok regarding the Ukraine visit is expected to cease. After the luncheon with President Yoon on the 10th, Leader Lee stated, "The president expressed his intention to expand meetings with lawmakers and party branch chiefs in the future, so I am confident that the relationship between the party and the presidential office will become even stronger."