Lee: "Real estate funds flowing into capital markets, an encouraging sign"
Senior figures urge focus on livelihoods, including youth employment
Mention of medium- to long-term tasks such as constitutional amendment and electoral reform
Calls for
President Lee Jaemyung is speaking at a luncheon meeting of the Standing Advisory Council of the Democratic Party of Korea held at Cheong Wa Dae on the 25th. Yonhap News
President Lee Jaemyung said on the 25th, "I am truly grateful that our Democratic Party of Korea is fulfilling its original role very well, even in these difficult circumstances."
President Lee made these remarks during a luncheon meeting with the Standing Advisory Council of the Democratic Party of Korea held at the main building of Cheong Wa Dae on this day, emphasizing that "in state affairs, what matters most is to bring about tangible changes that create a better environment that the people can actually feel." The meeting was attended by former National Assembly Speaker Moon Heesang, Kwon Nokap, Chairman of the Kim Daejung Foundation (Standing Advisor), former National Assembly Speaker Kim Wanki, former National Assembly Speaker Kim Jinpyo, Standing Advisor Lee Yongdeuk, former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeongseug, former Prime Minister Han Myeongsook, former National Assembly Speaker Lim Chaejeong, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and Unification Minister Chung Dongyoung.
President Lee said, "Now that we have returned to Cheong Wa Dae, it feels like many things are settling down," adding, "Because our Democratic Party of Korea has newly taken power and has produced visible outcomes at an early stage, I am very pleased that our people are already feeling many changes." He also expressed his appreciation to the attending Standing Advisory Council members, saying, "It is thanks to all the hard work you have put in, and I would like to express my gratitude once again."
President Lee went on to say, "Up until the election, we may have won as one side's camp, but from the very next moment, we must run state affairs in a way that unites everyone and moves forward together," adding, "From that perspective, there are still many aspects in which we are lacking." He then stressed, "Even so, we will continue to make relentless efforts and do our utmost so that our people can enjoy a better tomorrow than today." President Lee also paid tribute to the late former Prime Minister Lee Haechan, who had been a member of the Democratic Party's Standing Advisory Council, saying, "It is truly regrettable; it would have been so good if he were still with us."
According to a briefing by Lee Gyuyoun, Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations and Communication at Cheong Wa Dae, during the subsequent closed-door portion of the meeting, the senior advisors cited improvements in economic and livelihood indicators and laid out future tasks. Chairman Kwon Nokap said, "Positive signals are emerging across the economy, including in real estate and stocks," while calling for continued attention to youth employment, the low birthrate, and the climate crisis. Former Speaker Kim Wanki said, "Expectations for the government are high," adding, "I look forward to a groundbreaking turning point in national development." Former Speaker Kim Jinpyo, referring to the KOSPI surpassing the 6,000 mark, assessed it as "a symbolic event that shows a leader with the ability to implement policies has emerged." Standing Advisor Lee Yongdeuk asked the government to pay attention to situations in which robots replace humans.
Senior Secretary Lee said, "President Lee stated that what he currently considers most important is resolving livelihood and economic issues, and he said he will definitely resolve the chronic problem in which capital is concentrated in real estate, thereby fueling social polarization and the suffering of ordinary people," adding, "He assessed it as a very natural and encouraging development that money previously tied up in real estate is now showing signs of flowing into the productive capital market."
Medium- to long-term agendas such as constitutional amendment and electoral reform were also put on the table. According to Senior Secretary Lee, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, "As the president and the government have changed, people's livelihoods are also changing dramatically," and asked the president "to pay attention to future issues such as constitutional amendment and electoral system reform." Former Prime Minister Han Myeongsook, noting that the public disclosure of meetings such as Cabinet meetings is "the first time this has happened under any administration," also called for the establishment of a framework for peace between South and North Korea.
Advice on inter-Korean relations and the international situation followed as well. Former Speaker Lim Chaejeong said, "Inter-Korean relations must be actively managed," and asked the government to pay attention to North Korean defectors and Koryoin (ethnic Koreans from the former Soviet Union and their descendants). Former Speaker Park Byeongseug stressed the safety of Korean nationals staying overseas, saying, "We must closely monitor the moves of the United States, Iran, China, and Taiwan." Minister Chung Dongyoung said he hoped to hear more voices on inter-Korean relations from within the party.
Senior Secretary Lee said, "Regarding inter-Korean relations, President Lee made remarks to the effect that he must proactively undertake various initiatives to establish a peace regime," and, regarding tariff negotiations, explained that "President Lee said something along the lines of 'I will steadily move forward' by coordinating promises and schedules between leaders, regardless of the situation on the U.S. side."
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