Former Chiefs of Presidential Secretariats Gathered in One Place... "Government and National Assembly Must Join Forces"

Held a Meeting Inviting Former Chiefs of Presidential Secretariats
Yoon Government Faces Numerous Immediate Challenges... Aiming to Gather Valuable Opinions

Jung Jin-seok, Chief of Staff to the President (left), is taking a commemorative photo at a meeting held on the 11th at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, inviting former Chiefs of Staff to the President. From the second left are former Chiefs of Staff to the President: Noh Young-min, Lee Byung-ki, Ryu Woo-ik, Park Ji-won, Kim Woo-sik, and Lee Kwan-seop. Photo by the Office of the President

Jung Jin-seok, Chief of Staff to the President, invited former Chiefs of Staff to a luncheon on the 11th to hear their opinions on pressing public issues. This appears to be aimed at seeking advice amid challenges such as high inflation, a strong won-dollar exchange rate affecting the economy, and ongoing collective actions in the medical sector.

The Presidential Office announced that Chief Jung held the luncheon with former Chiefs of Staff at a Chinese restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul.

The luncheon meeting was attended by former Chiefs of Staff Park Ji-won (Kim Dae-jung administration), Kim Woo-sik (Roh Moo-hyun administration), Ryu Woo-ik (Lee Myung-bak administration), Lee Byung-ki (Park Geun-hye administration), Noh Young-min (Moon Jae-in administration), and Lee Kwan-seop (Yoon Suk-yeol administration).

The Presidential Office explained, "This is the first time that former Chiefs of Staff have gathered in one place," adding, "Given the numerous urgent tasks at hand, Chief Jung personally invited them, believing that the wisdom and insights of experienced Chiefs of Staff are necessary to address pressing public issues."

The office further stated, "During the discussion, the former Chiefs of Staff unanimously emphasized that the government and the National Assembly must work together for the recovery of public welfare and the economy," and "Chief Jung listened attentively to their opinions and mentioned that he would actively reflect them in state affairs."

Although there was mention of the need for cooperation between the government and the National Assembly, the situation remains difficult. The day before, the Democratic Party held a plenary session and unilaterally submitted and passed 11 personnel agenda items for standing committee chairpersons without the participation of People Power Party members, escalating conflicts between the ruling party, government, and opposition.

Since the Democratic Party secured the Judiciary Committee and the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, it is expected to accelerate the handling of sensitive bills such as the ‘Special Prosecutor Act for Chae Sang-byeong’ and the ‘Broadcasting Three Acts.’ On the other hand, President Yoon Suk-yeol is likely to exercise his veto power against these bills passed solely by the opposition.