Yoon: "Strengthen Party-Government Consultations... Fully Reflect Public Opinion"

President Yoon Emphasizes Inter-Party and Government Coordination to Aides
"Close Consultation Even on Policies Without Accompanying Laws or Budgets"

President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 27th ordered the strengthening of consultation between the ruling party and the government, as well as the process of gathering public opinion, in relation to policy implementation.

On the same day, President Yoon instructed his aides to "closely consult with the ruling party on all policies, even those that do not involve bills or budgets," according to Lee Do-woon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, in a written briefing. He also emphasized, "Ensure that public opinion is sufficiently reflected during this process."

As various policies promoted by the Presidential Office recently faced backlash, it appears that President Yoon ordered active consultation with the ruling party and thorough public opinion gathering throughout the entire policy process, including policy development, public opinion collection, and legislation. The intention is to enhance acceptance and achieve results by communicating with the ruling party and considering the public’s perspective.

There were criticisms that public opinion gathering was insufficient regarding policies promoted by the Presidential Office, such as the recent reform plan for the working hours system, which proposes a maximum of 69 working hours per week. In response, President Yoon, at the Cabinet meeting on the 21st, ordered the government to prepare a new reform plan after going through public opinion gathering procedures and to promote state affairs in a way that aligns with the public’s viewpoint.

Regarding the amendment to the Grain Management Act, although President Yoon had previously expressed opposition, the Presidential Office stated the day before that they would "listen to the farmers’ positions and make a comprehensive judgment," indicating careful consideration.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, with the leadership of the People Power Party now established, it is interpreted that President Yoon made these remarks considering it an opportune time to strengthen ruling party-government cooperation.

After the People Power Party’s party convention, party leader Kim Ki-hyun proposed regular meetings with President Yoon, and it was decided that high-level consultations involving key members from the party, government, and Presidential Office would be held frequently.

As part of this, it is reported that a hotline will be activated between Lee Kwan-seop, the Senior Secretary for National Planning who oversees policies at the Presidential Office, and Park Dae-chul, the newly appointed Policy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party.

There also seems to be an underlying recognition to minimize disruptions as much as possible and push forward head-on with the three major reforms in labor, education, and pensions, based on strengthened ruling party-government consultations and public opinion gathering.