Handonghun and Lee Jaemyung to Hold Ruling and Opposition Leaders' Meeting on the 1st of Next Month

Han and Lee to Make Opening Remarks Public at Talks
Final Coordination of Agenda on 30th
Discussion Expected on Livelihood Issues
Differences Remain on Medical School Expansion Agenda Between Parties

The meeting between Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is scheduled to take place on the 1st of next month.

On the 29th, Park Jeong-ha, chief secretary to the leader of the People Power Party, met with reporters at the Incheon International Airport Corporation Human Resources Development Center, where the People Power Party members' workshop was held, and stated, "The meeting between Leader Han and Leader Lee will be held on September 1st at 2 p.m. inside the main building of the National Assembly."

Previously, the meeting between Leader Han and Leader Lee was scheduled for the 25th but was postponed due to Leader Lee being hospitalized after contracting COVID-19.

Lee Hae-sik, chief secretary to the Democratic Party leader, also met with reporters at the Democratic Party members' workshop held in Incheon on the same day and said, "Despite internal party opinions being skeptical about the meeting’s outcomes due to Leader Han’s reversal of his previous stance on the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law, we have agreed magnanimously to hold the meeting."

He added, "The public is suffering greatly due to the livelihood and economic crisis and the medical disaster. Also, political restoration is urgently needed ahead of the regular National Assembly session," explaining the purpose of attending the meeting.

The People Power Party is demanding to put the abolition of the financial investment income tax, cessation of political strife, political reform, and livelihood recovery on the agenda, while the Democratic Party is requesting to include the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law, the 250,000 won support fund law, and the revival of local party branches, but the agenda has not yet been finalized.

Both Chief Secretary Park and Chief Secretary Lee told reporters, "We will meet again tomorrow (the 30th) to coordinate the agenda one last time on a working level."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the issue of increasing medical school admissions, the People Power Party has stated that it will "not address it as an agenda item," while the Democratic Party insists it "should be discussed," showing a difference in positions.

Chief Secretary Park said, "Since the conflict over medical legislation is not a matter to be resolved in the National Assembly, it will not be included as an agenda item," and added, "We judged that we should wait and see the results of the dialogue between the government and the Medical Association."

On the other hand, Chief Secretary Lee said, "At the working-level meeting on the 26th, we were the first to propose that the medical disaster must be addressed as an agenda item."

Regarding the '250,000 won support fund law,' Chief Secretary Lee emphasized, "We will expect a progressive stance from the ruling party until the very last moment." About the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law, which allows a third party to recommend the special prosecutor, he explained, "We plan to coordinate our position with the floor leadership until the last moment and bring it forward."

Pension reform, on which the two parties have differing views, is unlikely to be included on the agenda. Chief Secretary Park said, "There was also a statement from President Yoon Seok-yeol regarding pension reform, and a pension special committee was operated in the 21st National Assembly. It will not be easy to discuss pension reform between the leaders," and added, "I believe livelihood issues related to Chuseok will be the main agenda."

Regarding the full live broadcast of this inter-party leaders’ meeting, Chief Secretary Park explained, "The public wants a live broadcast, but we judged that the success of the leaders’ meeting to resolve livelihood issues is more important, so our party and Leader Han have somewhat conceded," and added, "The opening remarks of both party leaders will be publicly available for a certain period."

This meeting will be conducted in a 3+3 format. Chief Secretary Park explained, "(The two party leaders), the chairpersons of the policy committees, and the chief spokespersons will attend."

[Image source=Yonhap News]