Jang Donghyuk Meets Prime Minister Kim Minseok: "Create Opportunities for Ruling and Opposition Parties and Government to Come Together"

Jang Donghyuk and Kim Minseok Hold First Official Meeting
Calls for President Lee Jaemyung and Party Leaders to Meet and Foster Dialogue

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, met with Prime Minister Kim Minseok at the National Assembly on the 1st. Jang conveyed his belief that the ruling party should respect the opposition as a partner in cooperation, while Prime Minister Kim urged for an early meeting between the President and the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties.

On this day, Jang received Prime Minister Kim at the main building of the National Assembly in the office of the party leader. This was the first official meeting between the two since Jang assumed his position.

Jang remarked, "Although today marks the opening ceremony of the regular session of the National Assembly, it seems that the gap between the ruling and opposition parties is still too wide for them to join hands." He pointed out that, following the South Korea-U.S. summit, the burden on businesses has increased, yet there are no supplementary measures reflecting their concerns in the Yellow Envelope Act or the Commercial Act amendment.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, and Kim Minseok, Prime Minister, are shaking hands at the National Assembly on the 1st. 2025.9.1 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Regarding the ongoing confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties, Jang shifted the focus to the Democratic Party of Korea. He stated, "While people's livelihoods are suffering, the Democratic Party has announced plans to establish a special court for insurrection and to extend the three major special prosecutors," adding, "By continuously making excessive attacks on the opposition over past events, the opposition is also unable to reach out for cooperation, which is regrettable."

Jang also called for the government to play a role in resolving the current situation. He said, "If laws are passed unilaterally without sufficient consultation between the ruling and opposition parties, the burden ultimately falls on the people," and requested, "I hope the Prime Minister will also play a role in cooperation between the parties and create opportunities for the ruling party, the opposition, and the government to deliberate together."

Prime Minister Kim responded, "If the ruling and opposition parties work together smoothly, the government will also cooperate further," urging a meeting between President Lee Jaemyung and the leaders of both parties. President Lee, upon returning from his visits to the United States and Japan, instructed his staff to arrange a meeting with the party leaders to explain the outcomes of the summit. In response, Jang stated that if President Lee promises a future one-on-one meeting, he would be willing to attend a meeting with the President and the party leaders.

Prime Minister Kim added, "The President believes he should report the results of his overseas visits together with the party leaders, which is why he made the proposal. I hope the meeting will take place soon so that the public can have an opportunity to hear about the summit, and that it will also lead to various discussions between the ruling and opposition parties, the President, and Leader Jang."