Lee Jae-myung Meets Woo Won-shik, Urges to Firmly Protect the Status and Role of the Legislature

Lee Jae-myung, the re-elected leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on the 19th and urged him to "steadfastly uphold the status and role of the legislative branch despite the very complex and difficult situation."

On the same day, Lee told Speaker Woo in the Speaker's Reception Room of the National Assembly Main Building in Yeouido, Seoul, "The executive branch's unilateral actions and arrogance seem to be more severe than expected, significantly limiting the scope of the Speaker's activities."

He added, "Although these are difficult times, since you are supposed to maintain neutrality, I hope you will act from a neutral perspective and ensure that the will and intentions of the people are not disregarded, in line with the people's expectations."

He also requested, "Even if 100% of our goals cannot be achieved, I ask for special consideration so that they are not excessively compromised. I also think it would be good to consider a special committee at the National Assembly level regarding major national agendas and future tasks."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is paying a courtesy call to Woo Won-shik, Speaker of the National Assembly, on the 19th at the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In response, Speaker Woo said, "Congratulations on being re-elected as party leader with overwhelming support. When I was elected Speaker and visited you, you said, 'The person closest to the field has become the Speaker.' I remember well that you, since your time as mayor of Seongnam, have been a reformist who achieved concrete results close to the lives of the people."

Regarding Lee's proposal for a summit meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol, Woo added, "I hope the public sees a positive image of you meeting well with President Yoon and overcoming our society's crises together. When you took office, you suggested meeting with President Yoon and Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, and it seems that Han has responded somewhat."

He continued, "It is rare to see a re-elected party leader these days, and I hope you will be a leader who successfully navigates these difficult times and shows this to the people. I also believe that the smooth operation of the National Assembly is part of the same effort. As Speaker, I have high expectations."