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Park to meet bipartisan chairmen mid-March
By Jun Ji-hye
President Park Geun-hye is expected to meet ruling Saenuri Party Chairman Rep. Kim Moo-sung and his main opposition New Politics Alliance Democracy (NPAD) counterpart Rep. Moon Jae-in by as early as the middle of this month.
According to ruling party spokeswoman Rep. Kwon Eun-hee, Park accepted the chairmen’s offer to meet after she returns from the Middle East on March 9.
The three met on Sunday morning at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts before the commemoration of Korea’s 1919 nationwide uprising movement against Japan’s 1910-45 colonial occupation.
“Park, Kim and Moon had a short conversation at a waiting room before the event took place,” Kwon said. “Kim asked Park to meet with bipartisan chairmen and explain the result of her Middle East tour. Moon actively supported Kim’s offer.”
Kwon quoted President Park as saying: “I have invited the opposition members several times, but to no avail. I hope to have those meetings frequently. Let me meet with Kim and Moon after coming back from the Middle East.”
During their short meeting, Park also asked Moon for cooperation so the opposition party can deal with pending bills designed to improve the nation’s economic conditions, according to Kwon.
It was the first meeting between Park and Moon since the 2012 election when the two were candidates of rival parties for the presidency.
Moon, who was elected NPAD chairman on Feb. 8, has told reporters he wanted to meet the President to discuss issues related to economy and national security.
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