Broken Cooperative Governance and Communication... Presidential Office Says "Very Regrettable," Jang Warns "Judicial System Is Collapsing"

President Lee, Chung Cheongrae, and Jang Donghyuk Meeting Ultimately Falls Through
Jang Notifies of Non-Attendance One Hour Before Presidential Luncheon
Jang: "Constitutional Complaint Act and Bill to Increase Supreme Court Justices Unilaterally Passed"
Hong Ikpyo: "We Will Not Let Go of the Thread of Dialogue"

On the 12th, President Lee Jaemyung invited National Assembly Representative Chung Cheongrae of the Democratic Party and National Assembly Representative Jang Donghyuk of the People Power Party to the presidential office for a luncheon meeting, but Representative Jang decided on Thursday morning not to attend. It is unusual for a party leader to declare on the day that he will not attend a presidential luncheon after such an event has been arranged. Representative Jang is said to have accepted the opinion of the party’s Supreme Council members that, given the current political situation, it would be more appropriate for him not to attend. However, he is expected to face a political backlash over the collapse of what was intended to be a meeting between the president and the ruling and opposition party leaders, just before the Lunar New Year holidays, to exchange broad views on livelihood issues affecting the public.

Yonhap News Agency

Hong Ikpyo, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, said at a briefing at the Chunchugwan press room on Thursday morning, "The meeting that was scheduled today between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties and the president has been canceled due to Representative Jang’s sudden notification of his intention not to attend," adding, "We deeply regret that we have missed an opportunity for communication and cooperation on state affairs."

Representative Jang’s side informed Senior Secretary Hong at around 11 a.m. that he would not attend the luncheon between President Lee and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties. Representative Jang explained that, after the Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed the Constitutional Complaint Act and other bills solely under the initiative of the ruling party the previous day, Supreme Council members of the People Power Party asked him to reconsider, and he then decided not to attend. In response, Senior Secretary Hong said, "It is highly inappropriate for the People Power Party to link the situation in the National Assembly to the presidential office in its explanation," and countered, "The National Assembly schedule and the operation of standing committees are the responsibility of the ruling party." He went on to say, "The presidential office does not involve or intervene in any way, so it is very regrettable that the scheduled luncheon was canceled on the grounds of National Assembly matters."

Senior Secretary Hong continued, "Even so, I want to make it clear that the presidential office will not let go of the thread of dialogue in order to improve people’s lives," stressing, "The Lee Jaemyung administration will continue to pursue the path of cooperation through mutual respect and responsible dialogue." However, when asked whether a meeting with Representative Jang would be rescheduled in the near future, he held back, saying, "It is difficult to give a definitive answer."

Regarding the decision not to proceed with the luncheon only with Representative Chung after Representative Jang’s notice of non-attendance, he replied, "The purpose of the luncheon meeting was to invite the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties and discuss overall state affairs, so holding the event without Representative Jang would have little significance." Asked about President Lee’s reaction, Senior Secretary Hong said, "He did not make any particular comment."

Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, Representative Jang held a press conference and, explaining the background to his decision not to attend the luncheon with the president and the ruling and opposition party leaders, said, "I cannot respond to a situation where one hand hides a knife behind the back while the other reaches out for a handshake," adding, "By any measure, today’s luncheon seems more appropriate as a meeting between President Lee and Representative Chung Cheongrae of the Democratic Party." He has completely suspended dialogue with the ruling party, including by not attending the plenary session of the National Assembly.

Representative Jang said, "I received the luncheon proposal yesterday morning, and although there were aspects that were inappropriate in terms of timing, format, and agenda, I immediately expressed my intention to accept it because I agreed with the idea of discussing livelihood issues together ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays," adding, "However, afterward, the Democratic Party unilaterally passed the Constitutional Complaint Act and the bill to increase the number of Supreme Court justices at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee." He went on, "Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae also expressed concern that this is a serious issue that could cause enormous harm to the people," and criticized, "The Lunar New Year gift that Representative Chung prepared for President Lee has become a disaster for the people."

Representative Jang further stated, "Whenever a meeting with the president is scheduled, outrageous actions such as unilaterally forcing through legislation just before or immediately after the meeting have been repeatedly occurring. If something happens repeatedly year after year, it becomes inevitable," adding, "If the presidential office was unaware of this in advance, then the ruling party is putting the president in a difficult position; if it knew and went ahead anyway, that means there is no will for cooperation." He particularly pointed at the Democratic Party, saying, "On major issues such as legislation, the president, the ruling party, and the National Assembly must fully consult with one another," and criticized, "It is inconsistent to talk about cooperation while continuing with such unilateral handling."