Lee Meets with Ruling and Opposition Leaders Before Supplementary Budget Speech
Tells Chairman Kim Yong Tae, "I Look Forward to Working with You"
President Lee Jae Myung is having a conversation with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Sik on the 26th before the supplementary budget policy speech at the National Assembly. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 26th, President Lee Jae Myung held a preliminary meeting at the National Assembly with Speaker Woo Won Sik and the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties, where he requested their cooperation for the passage of the supplementary budget bill. During this meeting, President Lee remarked, "Now that I am in a subordinate position, I especially ask for your support."
Before delivering his first policy speech at the plenary session of the National Assembly that day, President Lee met with Speaker Woo and the leaders of both parties in the Speaker's reception room. Representing the ruling Democratic Party was Kim Byung Ki, who is serving as acting party leader and floor leader. From the opposition, Kim Yong Tae, acting chairman of the People Power Party's emergency committee, and Kim Sun Min, acting leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, were present.
President Lee said, "I have visited this room several times, but today my position has changed somewhat, and I am meeting the Speaker here in a new capacity. The experience I gained during my time in the National Assembly, though not long, is proving to be very helpful." He continued, "The government is an executive body that moves straight ahead, but it is important for the National Assembly to check whether that direction is correct, to review matters together, and to properly fulfill its functions of oversight and scrutiny. I hope we can work together on what is possible."
President Lee also stated, "Of course, it is necessary to examine things from different perspectives. While there may be many conflicting opinions, I believe that differences in opinion do not mean someone is wrong. By acknowledging these differences, coexisting, and respecting one another, I hope we can unite the strength of the people to overcome these difficulties together, and that Korea can rise together as a nation leading the world."
During his remarks, President Lee looked at Chairman Kim Yong Tae and said, "Chairman Kim Yong Tae, I look forward to working with you." As he concluded his remarks, he once again said, "Now that I am in a subordinate position, I especially ask for your support," bowing his head in humility.
Speaker Woo said to President Lee, "Politics is about paving the way. At a time when both politics and the economy are very difficult and the instability of the international order is extremely high, we must pave a new path well in order to revive the economy and improve people's livelihoods."
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