President Lee and Ruling, Opposition Leaders Meet: Pivotal Moment to Break Political Deadlock

Focus on Whether Party Leaders Will Shake Hands
Sensitive Issues Pile Up
Attention on One-on-One Meeting Between President Lee and Leader Jang

President Lee Jaemyung will hold a luncheon meeting with the newly elected leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties at the presidential office in Yongsan on September 8, where they will discuss key national issues. After the luncheon, President Lee will continue with a one-on-one meeting with Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party. This meeting comes just three days before President Lee marks his 100th day in office and is significant as it brings together the newly elected party leaders for direct talks soon after their election. In particular, attention is focused on whether President Lee's mediation can restore bipartisan cooperation, as the ruling and opposition parties have been locked in a fierce standoff.

During the luncheon with Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, and Leader Jang, major issues are expected to be discussed. These include measures for citizens who have been arrested and detained in the United States, the government reorganization plan announced on September 7, and the first housing supply plan for 1.35 million households over the next five years. Other agenda items may include the three major special prosecutors criticized by the People Power Party, the establishment of a special tribunal for insurrection, the 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. The Democratic Party plans to once again emphasize the urgency of prosecutorial and judicial reforms to end insurrection, including a stronger special prosecutor bill and the establishment of a special tribunal for insurrection. At the party’s Supreme Council meeting, Leader Jeong stated, “Prosecutorial reform, which previous administrations failed to achieve, was made possible by President Lee’s determination,” and pledged, “We will ensure the passage of the Government Organization Act in the National Assembly by the end of this month.”

Yonhap News Agency

President Lee and the party leaders have different expectations as they discuss these issues. With his 100th day in office approaching on September 11, President Lee aims to use this meeting to demonstrate the opening of bipartisan cooperation to the public. If the leaders, who have been at odds, shake hands with the president for the first time at this meeting, it would strengthen President Lee’s image as a mediator. It would also continue the ‘leadership of integration’ he has demonstrated through his appointments since taking office.

There is also interest in whether the leaders will actually shake hands. Previously, Leader Jang stated, “I will not shake hands with forces of insurrection,” while Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, responded, “I only talk to people,” highlighting their confrontational stance. Park Suhyeon, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting, “With the president’s mediation, we have reached a turning point where the prolonged stalemate, in which the party leaders have not shaken hands, could be resolved,” adding that Leader Jeong expressed hope that “this will be a genuine handshake, not a mere formality.”

As the party leaders reaffirm their existing differences, attention is focused on the outcome of the one-on-one meeting between President Lee and Leader Jang. At the Supreme Council meeting, Leader Jang said, “I believe it is meaningful that the president has opened the door for dialogue with party leaders,” and added, “I hope today’s talks will serve as a starting point for resolving the current impasse.”

There are also expectations that a proposal will be made to institutionalize regular meetings, such as forming a ‘Ruling-Opposition-Presidential Policy Council.’ The aim is to create a formal channel for the opposition to voice objections to attempts to suppress them, while cooperating on issues affecting people’s livelihoods. A People Power Party official said, “President Lee is unlikely to be fully comfortable with the Democratic Party’s unilateral legislative drive, so he may propose the policy council first. If there is mutual understanding on this, it could help break the deadlock.”