Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
Yoon faces internal pressure to engage more with opposition leaders
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, left, and Cho Kuk, the leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, shake hands at the National Assembly, Seoul, March 5. Yonhap
By Kwak Yeon-soo
President Yoon Suk Yeol is facing increased pressure from his party members to hold discussions with opposition leaders as public discontent grows over his unilateral approach to managing state affairs.
Since his inauguration, back in May 2022, Yoon has not met with opposition leaders. During Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, he said he would work with the National Assembly and opposition parties but did not specify how and when.
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and Cho Kuk, the leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, have proposed talks with Yoon.
Critics say one reason for the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) humiliating defeat in last week's general elections is Yoon's disrespect for the opposition side as being a genuine partner in managing state affairs.
PPP members and former Yoon aides, for that reason, are calling on Yoon to bring in opposition leaders for meetings as bipartisan cooperation is deemed critical.
People Power Party Reps. Kwon Young-se, left, and Kim Gi-hyeon, attend a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
PPP Rep. Kwon Young-se said there is no reason to avoid the meeting when it is absolutely necessary.
"I know that Yoon is in the hot seat as he has to deal with an unfriendly National Assembly environment," Kwon said in a radio appearance on SBS. "He would probably consider meeting opposition leaders in order to pass or object to the bills and budgets."
"I believe it is necessary to sit down with the opposition if the president wants to handle state affairs more flexibly," he added.
Another PPP member, Rep. Kim Yong-tae, the youngest member of the 22nd National Assembly, reiterated that the broader opposition bloc, led by the DPK, secured 192 seats in the 300-member parliament.
"I think it would have been better if President Yoon mentioned his plans to cooperate and engage in dialogue with opposition parties in his speech on Tuesday," he said on an MBC radio show. "Bipartisan cooperation is no longer a choice. It's essential."
Veteran politician Kim Chong-in, who helped both parties in past presidential elections, said such meetings are necessary.
"I think it's become necessary for President Yoon to engage in talks with opposition leaders, but President Yoon's decision is a separate issue," he said on a CBS radio show.