Chung Cheongrae Slams Jang Donghyuk Over Canceled Presidential Luncheon as "Absurd"...Stresses Fast-Track Legislation (Comprehensive)

In opening remarks, vows rapid push on livelihood and reform bills

On the 12th, Chung Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, criticized Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, for announcing that he would not attend a luncheon meeting with President Lee Jaemyung, saying, "The People Power Party is truly absurd. He requested it himself, he is the one breaking it, what on earth is he doing now?"

On his social networking service (SNS) account the same day, Chung wrote, "The presidential office luncheon has been canceled due to the rudeness of the People Power Party," adding, "Although the luncheon has been canceled, I will release my prepared opening remarks."

Chung Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at a policy meeting of lawmakers held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Chung’s released opening remarks begin with, "Ahead of the Lunar New Year, I would like to thank you for arranging this occasion of unity where the president and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties can come together."

He expressed his gratitude for the achievements of the Lee Jaemyung administration, such as overcoming the December 3 Martial Law, normal diplomacy, ushering in the KOSPI 5000 era, and reaching a record-high export volume, saying, "As President Lee Jaemyung has said, 2026 will be the first year of a great transformation and great leap forward for the Republic of Korea," and added, "For this to happen, the National Assembly must fully play its role."

As tasks for the legislative branch, he mentioned: the Special Administrative Integration Act aimed at achieving region-centered growth beyond the current capital-area-centered system; the Act on the Establishment of a Real Estate Supervisory Agency to eradicate illegal activities in the real estate market; and the third amendment to the Commercial Act, centered on making the cancellation of treasury shares mandatory. He also stressed that the Special Act on Investment in the United States, which is directly tied to the survival of companies, must be passed by February 9 in accordance with the bipartisan agreement.

In addition, for judicial and prosecutorial reform, he stated that the following bills must be pursued steadfastly: prosecutorial reform to completely separate investigation and indictment; an increase in the number of Supreme Court justices to ensure speedy trials; a constitutional complaint system that broadly guarantees the basic rights of the people; and the crime of distortion of law, designed to eradicate fabricated indictments at their root.

Chung concluded, "I will devote every effort to the swift passage of livelihood- and reform-related bills. As the ruling party holding more than a majority of the seats, we will play a more proactive role," and added, "We will engage in even closer communication with the opposition parties, including the People Power Party, and compete in good faith through policy and legislation."

The People Power Party decided not to attend the presidential office luncheon meeting, taking issue with the fact that the pro-government bloc pushed ahead with the passage of judicial reform bills at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day. At a press briefing on the 12th, Jang said, "After scheduling the luncheon meeting, they railroaded through evil laws such as the Constitutional Appeal Act and then asked the leader of the largest opposition party to have lunch, which is like serving rice made with grains of sand on the table."