Hong Ikpyo, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, is taking questions after finishing a briefing at the Blue House Press Hall on the 12th regarding the lunch that had been scheduled that day but was canceled between President Lee Jaemyung, Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party. Yonhap News
The Blue House said on the 12th that it was "deeply regretful" that Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, canceled his lunch with the president.
Hong Ikpyo, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, said in a briefing at the Chunchugwan press hall that morning, "The meeting scheduled for today between the president and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties was canceled due to Leader Jang's sudden notification that he would not attend," adding, "We express deep regret that an opportunity for communication and cooperation on state affairs has been lost."
According to Jang, his side informed Senior Secretary Hong around 11 a.m. that he would not attend the lunch between President Lee Jaemyung and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties. He explained that, after the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, led by the ruling party the previous day, unilaterally handled bills such as the Constitutional Appeal Act, the Supreme Council members of the People Power Party asked for reconsideration, and a decision was made not to attend.
In relation to this, Senior Secretary Hong countered, "It is highly inappropriate that the People Power Party explained the situation in the National Assembly by linking it to the Blue House," and said, "The legislative schedule and the operation of standing committees are the responsibility of the ruling party." He went on to point out, "The Blue House does not engage or intervene in any way, so it is deeply regrettable that the scheduled lunch was canceled, citing the National Assembly as the reason."
Senior Secretary Hong also said, "Nonetheless, I want to make it clear that the Blue House will not let go of the thread of dialogue in order to improve the lives of the people," and stressed, "The Lee Jaemyung administration will continue on the path of cooperative governance through mutual respect and responsible dialogue." However, when asked whether a meeting with Leader Jang would be rescheduled in the near future, he held back, saying, "It is difficult to give a definitive answer."
Meanwhile, when asked about President Lee's reaction, Senior Secretary Hong replied, "He did not make any particular remarks."
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