Hwang Woo-yeo "Must Listen to Democratic Party's Opinions"... Lee Jae-myung "Shift in National Policy Direction"

Hwang Woo-yeo and Lee Jae-myung in Unison on 'Cooperation'
Lee Jae-myung: "Party Leaders Should Not Show Hostile Emotions"
Seemingly Targeting Former Emergency Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon with 'Lee Cautious Judgment' Theory
No Discussion on Special Prosecutor Chae Sang-byeong and Others

Hwang Woo-yeo, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, met with Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 20th and stated, "The Democratic Party is not just the party itself, but it is supported and loved by many beloved citizens behind it. Therefore, we must listen to the Democratic Party’s opinions with respect and love for those citizens."

Lee welcomed Chairman Hwang’s intention for cooperation but also said, "When the opposition party tries to do something, the ruling party blocks it, so sometimes I wonder, 'Are we the ruling party?'" He demanded a major shift in the national policy direction. This is interpreted as a call for the government and ruling party to change their stance on various issues, including President Yoon Suk-yeol’s planned exercise of the veto power on the special prosecutor law for Marine Chae Sang-byeong on the 21st. However, no specific discussion on the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law took place at this meeting.

At the meeting held in the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, in the afternoon, Chairman Hwang referred to past examples of bipartisan cooperation such as the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the passage of the National Assembly Advancement Act.

Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is visiting Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Chairman Hwang said, "The society we dream of is one filled with joy and tolerance, and I believe politicians aim for that. To create a happy society and country, politicians themselves must first live a joyful and happy public life." He added, "Although I have been in charge of our party for a short time, I will firmly hold hands with Leader Lee and take one step at a time to build such a society and help our country move forward."

Leader Lee agreed with Chairman Hwang’s remarks, saying, "I thought it would be good if the Democratic Party and the People Power Party could fulfill the fundamental role of politics well together," and responded, "As Chairman Hwang said, I believe it lies in integration and inclusion."

He continued, "In fact, these days politicians are divided into ruling and opposition parties, not even meeting each other, and emotionally harbor hostility and truly fight," pointing out, "Such a state is really a dangerous situation."

Leader Lee also criticized that emotional remarks or exposing hostile feelings are not something a party leader should do, saying, "I think such things actually paralyze political functions. It would be good if the ruling party showed behavior befitting its dignity." This is interpreted as a remark targeting former People Power Party Emergency Committee member Han Dong-hoon, who had promoted the judgment theory against Lee and Cho (Lee Jae-myung and Cho Kuk) in the last general election.

However, referring to the results of the recent general election, he also expressed, "I think the people expressed the view that the national policy direction should be changed, not supporting a particular side or specific area, but from a general and overall perspective," demanding a change in the government and ruling party’s national policy.

Regarding this, Leader Lee said, "Since the ruling party is politically and legally responsible for the government, the normal relationship between the ruling and opposition parties is that the ruling party proposes something, the opposition party checks by blocking it to some extent, and the ruling party partially accepts what the opposition suggests, adjusting to make progress. Unfortunately, when the Democratic Party as the opposition tries to do something, the ruling party blocks it," he pointed out.

Chairman Hwang conveyed that no discussions on current issues such as the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law took place during the private meeting that day. After the meeting, Chairman Hwang told reporters, "We need to continue dialogue going forward, and if we properly compromise on policy and various matters, wouldn’t the people feel reassured?"