President Lee Hosts Luncheon with Ruling and Opposition Leaders... Jang Donghyuk Absent Due to Hunger Strike

President Lee Discusses Bipartisan Cooperation with Leaders of Seven Parties
People Power Party Proposes One-on-One Summit Instead
Cheon Haram Pauses Filibuster to Attend Luncheon

President Lee Jae-myung hosted a luncheon meeting with the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties at Sangchunjae in the Blue House on January 16. Although the event was initially intended to discuss state affairs and bipartisan cooperation, its original purpose was overshadowed by the hunger strike of the main opposition party leader.

The luncheon was intended for the leadership of seven parties: the Democratic Party of Korea, the People Power Party, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, the Progressive Party, the Reform New Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party. However, the People Power Party did not attend. Cheon Haram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, who was the first to take the floor in the filibuster (unlimited debate) against the Second Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Bill (the bill to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged insurrection, treason, and abuse of state power by Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Keon-hee), left the National Assembly and headed to the Blue House.

President Lee Jae-myung and Chief Secretary Kang Hoon-sik are entering the Senior Secretary Meeting held at the Blue House on the 15th. Photo by Yonhap News

During the luncheon, President Lee shared the main policy directions for the new year and called for bipartisan cooperation to restore livelihoods and stabilize state governance. He also shared the outcomes of his recent visits to China and Japan and requested further cooperation. A Blue House official explained, "President Lee expressed his intention to focus the government's efforts on laying the foundation for a major national leap forward," adding, "There were no restrictions on the agenda, and the discussions covered key issues affecting people's livelihoods and the economy." In the previous day's Senior Secretary Meeting, President Lee had stated, "The government, the National Assembly, and both the ruling and opposition parties are all jointly responsible for state affairs on behalf of the sovereign people," and urged, "Let us set aside minor differences, prioritize the national interest, and unite our efforts for the future of the country and the lives of the people."

However, the political significance of the luncheon was diminished as it was held amid a standoff between the ruling and opposition parties, with the main opposition leader on hunger strike and a filibuster underway at the National Assembly. The People Power Party leadership declined the invitation to the luncheon and instead proposed a one-on-one summit with the president.

On the 16th, at the first plenary session of the extraordinary National Assembly convened in January 2026, Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, who is on a hunger strike urging the acceptance of the "Double Special Investigation Act," and Chun Haram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, who finished unlimited debate on the "Second Comprehensive Special Investigation Bill," are embracing each other. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized at a press briefing that "President Lee should not be staging a leisurely luncheon show, but should come to the hunger strike site to listen to what the opposition desperately wants." He demanded a major shift in state policy, including the acceptance of the Double Special Investigation Act and the exercise of the right to request reconsideration of the Second Comprehensive Special Investigation Bill. Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, began an indefinite hunger strike from the afternoon of the 15th, demanding that the Democratic Party accept the Double Special Investigation Act regarding the Unification Church and nomination bribery allegations.

Cheon Haram also pointed out that the luncheon was taking place while the filibuster was still ongoing at the National Assembly. During the filibuster, he said, "I don't think I'll be able to eat at the luncheon with the president scheduled for noon," and added, "Since I'm the only one attending as a true opposition party representative, I will convey the points I made during the filibuster." He questioned, "If the president values communication and harmony with the opposition, why does the special prosecutor bill have to be pushed through today?"