Jang Kyung-tae: "Yoon-Lee Jae-myung Meeting, Simple Encounter Far from Communication"

On the 31st, President Yoon Seok-yeol, who will visit the National Assembly to deliver the policy speech on next year's government budget, will have a preliminary meeting with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. As attention focuses on whether this meeting will open the door to communication, Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Kyung-tae downplayed its significance, calling it a "simple meeting far from communication."

On the same day, on KBS's 'Choi Kang Sisa,' Lawmaker Jang said, "This occasion is not so much a starting point for communication and cooperation as it is a gathering hosted by the Speaker of the National Assembly inviting the heads of the five branches. Therefore, it is a chat that does not reflect the president's will at all."

Jang Kyung-tae, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

According to Lawmaker Jang, Lee's attendance at this meeting was due to Lee's own will. He said, "Since the leader decided to attend, and especially because the heads of the five branches are coming, it is more of a ceremonial nature. We also naturally participate in this constitutional order of the Republic of Korea. Showing this is more respectful to the people."

The chat usually lasts about 10 to 20 minutes, and attention is focused on whether there will be a conversation between President Yoon and Leader Lee. Regarding this, Lawmaker Jang said, "Since the preliminary chat is a gathering where the heads of the five branches all come together ? including the Speaker of the National Assembly, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, President of the Constitutional Court, Prime Minister, and Chairperson of the National Election Commission ? there might be a conversation. There was also concern that it might just be a chance to see faces, and there was worry that people might say there was a chat just for the sake of it."

Last year, the Democratic Party carried out an unprecedented boycott of the policy speech, but this time they are expected to stage a 'picketing protest' outside the plenary hall. Lawmaker Jang said, "Inside the plenary hall, between the floor leaders, we have conveyed that we will not hold picketing that offends President Yoon Seok-yeol's sentiments during the policy speech, and at least from the Democratic Party's position, we will maintain decorum. However, picketing protests outside the plenary hall to point out issues such as the complete cut of the research and development (R&D) budget can be carried out."