Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Lee highlights national unity as political divides persist
President Lee Jae Myung shakes hands with Rep. Han Byung-do, floor leader of ruling Democratic Party of Korea, ahead of a luncheon meeting with party leaders at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
PPP skips luncheon, calls for direct talks with president
President Lee Jae Myung once again stressed the importance of national unity on Friday, urging political leaders to cooperate more closely in promoting social cohesion amid deepening divisions in the country.
Speaking at the New Year's luncheon hosted at Cheong Wa Dae for leaders of Korea's political parties, Lee said efforts should be made to reflect the diverse views of the public.
Leaders of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and five minor parties — the Rebuilding Korea Party, Progressive Party, Reform Party, Basic Income Party and New Jinbo Party — attended the event. The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) did not participate. The meeting marked the third time Lee has held talks with leaders of ruling and opposition parties since he took office last June.
“The president is not the leader of the DPK,” President Lee said. “I once served as the DPK leader, but now I must represent all citizens, not just a single political party.”
He added that a president should not reflect only one political color, emphasizing the need to ensure diversity to the greatest extent possible.
"In any case, I believe promoting social cohesion is my responsibility," the president noted.
President Lee Jae Myung speaks during a luncheon meeting with party leaders at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
The president also called for bipartisan cooperation in diplomacy and national security, referring to his recent visits to China and Japan earlier this month.
“When it comes to foreign relations that are directly linked to national interests and the standing of the Korean people as a whole, I believe we must join forces,” he said. “I also felt that special efforts are needed to achieve this.”
Lee urged opposition parties to cooperate as much as possible on diplomatic and security issues.
The president further said the creation of integrated special cities, such as the proposed integration of Gwangju–South Jeolla and Daejeon–South Chungcheong regions, could serve as a major turning point for balanced regional development, asking for cooperation on administrative integration.
At the meeting, DPK leader Jung Chung-rae agreed on the need for bipartisan cooperation in diplomacy to serve national interests. Cho Kuk, leader of Rebuilding Korea Party, called for the thorough completion of prosecutorial reforms, while Kim Jae-yeon, leader of the Progressive Party, said the electoral system should be reformed before local elections are held in June.
Chun Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party, demanded that the president exercise his veto power on the second round of special counsel bills. Yong Hye-in, leader of the Basic Income Party, called for a swift launch of the country's basic society committee.
People Power Party leader Song Eon-seog, right, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
Meanwhile, the presidential office said it has not yet reviewed the PPP’s proposal for one-on-one talks between President Lee and the main opposition leader.
“We understand that Song Eon-seog, leader of the PPP, has made such a proposal, but nothing has been formally conveyed to us so far,” Lee Kyu-yeon, senior presidential secretary for public relations, said at a press briefing on Friday.
Earlier in the day, the PPP declined to attend the luncheon meeting hosted by President Lee and instead called for a separate leaders’ summit between Lee and the opposition. Song urged President Lee to hold a one-on-one meeting with the PPP to discuss a shift in the administration’s policy direction.