Presidential Office Responds to Lee Jae-myung's 'Pension Reform Talks' Proposal: "Matter for National Assembly to Decide"

"Not a Presidential Decision" Effectively Drawing the Line

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 2nd Economic Issue Review Meeting held on the 23rd at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Blue House effectively drew a line on the proposal by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who expressed willingness to meet President Yoon Suk-yeol on the topic of pension reform, stating that it is a matter to be decided by the National Assembly.

A senior official from the Blue House said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the afternoon of the 23rd, "The place where decisions regarding pension reform should be made is the National Assembly," adding, "Since the ruling and opposition parties are in consultation, it is not a matter for the president to make a decision on."

Earlier, Lee stated on Facebook, "If the government and ruling party make a decision, the pension reform bill can be passed at the plenary session on the 28th," and added, "I am also willing to hold a summit meeting with the president regarding this issue."

The Blue House's stance is interpreted as considering it inappropriate to resolve this issue through a summit meeting when the government has already provided all necessary materials for pension reform discussions to the National Assembly.

President Yoon also said during the press conference marking his second anniversary in office on the 9th, "We have submitted to the National Assembly not only repair statistics but also extensive data crucial for pension projections, such as future population estimates," and added, "However, with the 21st National Assembly nearing its end, rather than rushing now, it is better to pass it on to the 22nd National Assembly for more thorough discussions."