Discussion of Key Issues with Jeong Cheongrae and Jang Donghyuk, Leaders of the Democratic and People Power Parties
Exclusive 30-Minute Meeting Between President Lee and Leader Jang After Luncheon
President Lee Expected to Emphasize 'Cooperation and Integration' as Mediator
Attention on Whether Hardline Leaders Jeong Cheongrae and Jang Donghyuk Will Join Hands
On September 8, President Lee Jaemyung will hold a luncheon meeting at the Yongsan presidential office with the newly elected leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties to discuss current political issues. After the luncheon, President Lee will have an exclusive meeting with Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party. This gathering, which comes just three days before the 100th day of Lee's presidency, is significant as it marks a rare direct meeting between the newly elected leaders of both parties. In particular, attention is focused on whether this meeting, mediated by President Lee, can restore bipartisan cooperation amid the ongoing confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties.
At the luncheon with Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, and leader Jang, the main topics are expected to include measures for Korean nationals who have been arrested and detained in the United States, the government reorganization plan announced on September 7, and the first housing supply plan targeting 1.35 million units over five years. Other agenda items could include the three major special prosecutors, the establishment of a special court for insurrection, the so-called Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act), and additional amendments to the Commercial Act, all of which have been criticized by the People Power Party.
The crisis involving the arrest and detention of around 300 Korean workers by U.S. immigration authorities at the Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site in Georgia has passed a critical phase. On September 7, Kang Hunsik, Chief of Staff at the presidential office, stated during the high-level party-government meeting at the Prime Minister's residence in Seoul, "Thanks to the swift and united response of the government, business associations, and companies, negotiations for the release of the detained workers have concluded," adding, "As soon as administrative procedures are completed, a chartered flight will depart to bring our citizens home." However, since this incident occurred not long after the Korea-U.S. summit on August 25, which was touted as a moment to build trust between the two countries as allies, attention is now focused on how leader Jang Donghyuk will evaluate the outcome of the summit.
The finalized government reorganization plan, which centers on abolishing the Prosecutors' Office and separating the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is also expected to be discussed at the luncheon. The reorganization plan of the Lee Jaemyung administration, confirmed at the high-level meeting between the Democratic Party, the government, and the presidential office on September 7, abolishes the Prosecutors' Office and establishes a new Prosecution Service and Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, thereby separating indictment and investigation functions. The newly created Ministry of Planning and Budget, under the Prime Minister, will handle budgetary functions, while the renamed Ministry of Finance and Economy will oversee economic policy, tax, and treasury functions. The domestic financial functions of the Financial Services Commission will be integrated into the Ministry of Finance and Economy. This restructuring aims to disperse overly concentrated authority and merge similar policy functions for efficiency. The People Power Party has strongly criticized the plan, calling it "the beginning of a 'criminal sovereignty government' that goes beyond political retaliation."
In the area of public welfare and the economy, the Lee Jaemyung administration's first housing supply plan is expected to be discussed. On September 7, the government announced a plan to start construction of 270,000 housing units annually, with a total of 1.35 million units in the Seoul metropolitan area by 2030. The plan includes direct implementation of public land projects by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), conversion of non-residential land for housing use, and shortening of approval periods to accelerate supply. However, leader Jang is likely to raise concerns about the fairness of supply timing and regional allocation, as well as the sustainability of funding sources. The effectiveness of welfare coupons funded by the second supplementary budget and the 2025 budget proposal, which exceeds 728 trillion won-an increase of more than 8% from this year-are also expected to be discussed.
President Lee, Jeong Cheongrae, and Jang Donghyuk: Different Calculations... Will a Ruling-Opposition-Government Consultative Body Be Discussed?
President Lee and the party leaders have different expectations for this meeting. With his 100th day in office approaching on September 11, President Lee hopes to use this meeting to demonstrate a breakthrough in bipartisan cooperation to the public. If the ruling and opposition leaders, who have been locked in confrontation, join hands with the president for the first time, Lee can solidify his image as a mediator. This would also extend the "leadership of integration" he has demonstrated through his appointments since taking office.
Leader Jeong Cheongrae may use this meeting as an opportunity to highlight his political clarity. It is a chance to reaffirm his commitment to prosecutorial reform-the core of the government reorganization plan announced the previous day-to both supporters and the public. At the same time, he will eventually need to soften his "hardline" image and be seen shaking hands with leader Jang, a move that could be expedited through President Lee's mediation. Conversely, if the opposition refuses to cooperate, it could immediately create the narrative that "the opposition seeks only confrontation, not cooperation."
Leader Jang Donghyuk, who is scheduled to have a one-on-one meeting with President Lee for about 30 minutes after the three-way meeting, can use this opportunity to further establish himself as the opposition leader. Both during the three-way meeting and the private session, he is expected to strongly express concerns over the three major special prosecutor investigations, the push for a special court for insurrection, and the issue of increasing the number of Supreme Court justices-all issues the People Power Party has consistently criticized. On September 7, he told reporters, "I will have the opportunity to speak to the president about various national challenges."
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