Lee Jae-myung to President Yoon: "Last Chance to Change the Course of State Affairs"...130-Minute Meeting (Comprehensive Report 2)

Yoon and Lee Hold First Bilateral Meeting in 720 Days
Representative Lee Demands Special Prosecutor for Chae Sang-byeong and Itaewon Special Law
"Must Accept Livelihood Recovery Support Fund" Request
"Will Actively Cooperate with Democratic Party on Medical Reform"

President Yoon Suk-yeol listens to the remarks of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, during a summit meeting held on the 29th at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the first meeting between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 29th, Lee stated, "Today's meeting, the first in two years, is a precious occasion to heed the will of the people" and called it "the last chance to change the direction of state affairs." Lee actively urged President Yoon to accept the 'Special Investigation Act on the Suspected External Pressure in the Death Case of Marine Chae Sang-byeong (Chae Sang-byeong Special Investigation)' and the 'Itaewon Disaster Special Act,' expressing deep regret over the exercise of veto power against the special investigation act and others.

During the bilateral meeting held around 2 p.m. at the second-floor office of the Yongsan Presidential Office, Lee said in his opening remarks, "The will of the people expressed in this general election is a stern order to correct the wrong governance," adding, "It is now time to focus the momentum of state affairs on overcoming the livelihood crisis."

Lee Jae-myung: "It takes 20 minutes, but actually took 700 days to come"

Before his opening remarks, Lee said, "It takes about 20 minutes to get here, but it actually took 700 days to come," adding, "Although it feels somewhat late, there is a saying that the time you say is late is actually the fastest, so I hope this meeting will be an opportunity to create new hope for our people." In fact, this bilateral meeting between President Yoon and Lee was the first since Yoon's inauguration in May 2022, marking 720 days.

First, Lee emphasized, "It is a principle that the government steps in when the private economy is struggling," and requested, "Please actively consider the urgent livelihood recovery measures proposed by the Democratic Party." In particular, he demanded, "Please accept the livelihood recovery support fund, which, when paid through local currency, has a significant effect not only on income support but also on supporting neighborhood markets, small business owners, self-employed people, and local areas."

He also conveyed the position that the restoration of the national research and development (R&D) budget cannot be postponed until next year. Lee said, "I think it would be good to handle the restoration of the R&D budget together with any supplementary budget for livelihood support, rather than postponing it until next year," and emphasized, "Please also pay active attention to urgent livelihood legislation such as the special act on rental fraud."

Lee also requested respect for the National Assembly and recognition of the opposition party as a partner in state affairs. He told President Yoon, "If you try to subdue the National Assembly and the opposition party with administrative power, successful governance will be difficult," and urged, "It would be truly good if you express regret over the exercise of veto power on the Itaewon Disaster Special Act and the special investigation act and promise to respect future decisions of the National Assembly."

Lee diagnosed, "In fact, the past two years have been characterized by the absence of politics and only domination and governance," and expressed concern, "From the Democratic Party's perspective, excessive use of veto power on laws that were difficult to pass, governance by enforcement decrees that infringe on legislative power, and the neutralization of personnel hearings could threaten the separation of powers and the rule of law, which are the two pillars of a democratic republic."

Request to Accept Special Investigation Act Related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee: "Need to Clear Up Suspicions Surrounding Family and Others"

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung is speaking at a summit meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol held on the 29th at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Along with the request to actively accept the Chae Sang-byeong Special Investigation Act and the Itaewon Disaster Special Act, Lee also requested acceptance of a special investigation act related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Lee added, "I think it would be good to take this opportunity to clear up various suspicions surrounding family members and close associates that are a significant burden on state affairs."

Regarding medical reform, Lee said, "Medical reform, such as expanding medical school quotas, is an essential task that must be done, so our Democratic Party will actively cooperate," and explained, "If the ruling and opposition parties and the medical community discuss together in the parliamentary public discussion committee proposed by the Democratic Party, a good solution will be found."

He also said, "One important topic is pension reform," adding, "Recently, the parliamentary pension reform special committee's public discussion committee prepared a reform plan with a 50% income replacement rate and a 13% insurance premium. I hope the President encourages the government and ruling party to take responsibility and proceed with the reform plan, and our Democratic Party will actively cooperate."

Furthermore, he urged a major change in renewable energy policy in response to the climate crisis and the era of energy transition. Lee said, "I am very concerned about the relocation of production bases overseas by export companies and the decline in industrial competitiveness due to a shortage of renewable energy," and added, "In line with the global trend of purchasing only products produced with renewable energy, the basic power supply plan should be reorganized to focus on renewable energy. Now, during the recession, is the right time to make large-scale investments in expanding the renewable energy industrial base, like an energy highway."

He also called for a prompt response to the international situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula. Lee said, "Value-centered bloc diplomacy alone cannot protect national interests or the country," and emphasized, "Please consider shifting to pragmatic diplomacy centered on national interests." He added that it would be good if the government made active efforts to ensure that national pride is not damaged in issues related to Japan, such as Dokdo, historical issues, and nuclear-contaminated water.

Lee said, "If you fear and respect the people, we will sincerely help the President and this government succeed," and added, "I hope you show that politics can be a beautiful competition, not ugly political strife."

First Bilateral Meeting Lasted 130 Minutes, Ended at 4:14 p.m.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, are holding a summit meeting on the 29th at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, President Yoon said, "Thank you for your kind words. Since these are issues that Leader Lee and the Democratic Party have emphasized, we expected such remarks," and added, "I appreciate your detailed comments. Let's continue our discussion among ourselves," continuing the closed-door meeting.

The meeting, which started around 2 p.m., lasted 130 minutes and ended at 4:14 p.m. Attending from the Presidential Office were Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Cheol-ho, and Senior Secretary for Public Relations Lee Do-woon. From the Democratic Party, Policy Committee Chairman Jin Seong-jun, Chief Secretary to the Leader Cheon Jun-ho, and Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-jun were present.

Yoon and Lee Agree "Medical School Quota Expansion is Inevitable"…Plan to Meet Frequently

After the bilateral meeting, Lee Do-woon, Senior Secretary for Public Relations at the Presidential Office who attended the meeting, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office to explain the discussions. The two sides did not issue a joint statement regarding the meeting. Lee said, "Various issues centered on the livelihood economy and medical reform were discussed during the informal talks," and evaluated, "The President had an open and frank conversation with the leader of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party. Although no agreement was reached, there was a broadly shared understanding."

Lee said, "President Yoon and Leader Lee agreed on the necessity of medical reform and that expanding medical school quotas is inevitable," and added, "Leader Lee said medical reform is an urgent task and that the Democratic Party will cooperate."

Also, President Yoon and Leader Lee agreed to meet frequently in the future. Lee said, "They agreed to continue meeting in any form since they can meet, and when the ruling party's leadership system is established, a three-party meeting can be held," and explained, "They also shared the view that livelihood is the most important political and policy issue." However, it was confirmed that there are policy differences and disagreements between the Presidential Office, the ruling party, and the opposition party on how to concretely improve livelihoods. President Yoon said, "A consultative body like a ruling-opposition-government council for livelihood discussions is necessary," and Leader Lee expressed the view, "Let's first utilize the National Assembly as a space for ruling and opposition parties," Lee added.

Lee Do-woon, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Presidential Office, is briefing on the summit meeting between President Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held on the 29th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding Request for Livelihood Support Fund, Yoon Says "Effective Support for Those in Need is Desirable"

Regarding one of the most anticipated issues, Lee's proposal for a 'livelihood support fund of 250,000 won per person for all citizens,' President Yoon indirectly expressed rejection. Lee said, "The President replied that considering the comprehensive impact on prices, interest rates, and fiscal conditions, it is desirable at this time to support those in need more effectively."

Regarding pension reform, Lee said, "Leader Lee said the direction should be decided by the parliamentary public discussion committee, but he hoped the government would provide direction," and the President replied, "The government has already submitted sufficient and abundant data to enable the National Assembly to make decisions." The Presidential Office explained that pension reform is an important issue and that consultations between the two sides will take place on this matter.

Regarding the Itaewon Special Act, the two sides showed differences. President Yoon expressed sympathy for the investigation of the incident, prevention of recurrence, and support for the bereaved families but indicated, "There are legal issues that need to be resolved, and if those are addressed and the matter is discussed again, I am not absolutely opposed."

No Private Meeting Between Yoon and Lee… "Hope Communication and Cooperation Continue"

When asked by reporters whether there was any private time between President Yoon and Leader Lee and whether they would regularize summit meetings in the future, a Presidential Office official replied, "There was no separate private time," and added, "There was no regular schedule for meetings, but we expect they will meet again through mutual agreement when necessary."

Regarding whether there was any discussion about Lee's request for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Investigation Act and the request to clear up suspicions about President Yoon's family mentioned in Lee's opening remarks, the official said, "I recall both were only mentioned in the opening remarks." The Presidential Office also explained that there was no request for cooperation on the appointment of the Prime Minister.

Additionally, the Presidential Office official said there was mention of establishing a legal affairs chief in reflection of the failure to grasp public opinion well after the general election defeat. The official said, "Leader Lee raised various issues regarding policy implementation, and President Yoon mentioned the Chief of Civil Affairs. President Yoon said that while managing state affairs, there seems to be a lack of information on public sentiment and potential problems and improvements when policies are implemented on the ground. He noted that during the Kim Dae-jung administration, the Chief of Civil Affairs was abolished and then reinstated two years later, and he understands why that decision was made."

The official described the meeting as follows: "The Presidential Office approached the meeting with goodwill and consultation to normalize the highly polarized political situation, restore politics, and promote cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties. The President's side evaluated it as the first step toward communication and cooperation with the opposition party." He added, "It is difficult to predict the future political situation, but we hope communication and cooperation will continue."