President Lee and Jang Donghyuk to Hold One-on-One Meeting... People Power Party: "Will Hear Stance on Ruling Party's Legislative Overreach"

"We See Differences of Opinion Between the Democratic Party and the Presidential Office"
"We Will Hear President Lee's Perspective"

The People Power Party announced that at the upcoming one-on-one meeting between President Lee Jaemyung and party leader Jang Donghyuk on September 8, they plan to hear President Lee's position on the Democratic Party's legislative overreach and convey their concerns regarding related issues, such as the Yellow Envelope Act.

People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk is delivering a strong condemnation speech declaring a fierce struggle against the ruling party and government at the special prosecution investigation protest rally against the opposition party suppression political oppression held on the main stairs of the National Assembly building on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News

Park Juntae, chief of staff to the People Power Party leader, told reporters at the National Assembly on the afternoon of September 5, "While the discussion will focus on livelihood issues, we expect an opportunity to express our concerns about the Democratic Party's legislative overreach, which is shaking the judicial system within the National Assembly, and to hear the president's stance."

Previously, the presidential office announced that on September 8, President Lee would have a luncheon meeting with the leaders of both parties at the Yongsan presidential office, followed by a separate one-on-one meeting with leader Jang. The luncheon will be attended by the chiefs of staff and spokespersons of both parties, as well as presidential chief of staff Kang Hunsik and senior political secretary Woo Sangho.

Park stated, "As announced by the presidential office, the leaders of both parties will meet together, followed by a one-on-one meeting between the president and the opposition party leader," adding, "There will be no restrictions on the agenda, and we expect discussions to cover the overall state affairs."

Park explained, "The presidential office initially proposed to brief the party leaders mainly on the outcomes of the overseas trip, but our party emphasized the need to discuss a broader range of issues, including the trip's results, and insisted that a one-on-one meeting was essential for candid dialogue. The presidential office accepted this."

When asked about the stance the party would take during the first encounter with Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae, who has refused to shake hands, Park replied, "It will be a natural meeting. Since this is the first time the three leaders are coming together, we will strive for a positive outcome."

However, he pointed out, "I have doubts as to whether the many bills the Democratic Party is unilaterally passing are being closely coordinated with the presidential office."

Park continued, "For example, they revised the Commercial Act and then passed an even stricter version, enacted a special prosecution law and are now trying to pass an even tougher one, and are even proposing to establish a special tribunal for insurrection. It seems to us that there may be some differences of opinion with the presidential office on these matters, and we plan to ask the president to clarify his position."

He added, "From our party's perspective, we have growing concerns about the increasingly challenging environment for businesses, so we will convey our worries about laws that make business activities more difficult. I understand that after the luncheon, there will be at least 30 minutes guaranteed for the president and the opposition party leader to meet one-on-one."