Lee Jae-myung meets party leaders on 1st day in office, calls for unity
President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a luncheon with political party leaders and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik at the Assembly in Seoul, on his first day in office, Wednesday. Joint Press Corp.
Lee Jae-myung began his presidency Wednesday with a clear message of unity, convening a series of meetings with political party leaders in a bid to bridge the deep ideological chasm exacerbated by the recent martial law crisis.
The new president, who secured his victory in a snap election Tuesday, faces the immediate challenge of mending relations between the nation's polarized political camps, a divide that has paralyzed policymaking and fueled public discontent.
His sartorial choice for the day underscored this commitment: a red-and-blue tie.
The colors symbolizing the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) — blue —and the conservative People Power Party — red — were widely interpreted as a deliberate visual metaphor for his administration's stated goal of national reconciliation and bipartisan cooperation.
Lee began his official schedule by visiting Seoul National Cemetery with his wife Kim Hye-kyung and fellow DPK lawmakers, following the tradition of previous presidents to pay their respects to the patriotic martyrs ahead of the inauguration ceremony.
President Lee Jae-myung pays respects to patriotic martyrs at Seoul National Cemetery before the inauguration ceremony in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
He then proceeded to the National Assembly to attend what the DPK called an “appointment ceremony” that began at 11 a.m. The party emphasized that the event marked the public’s formal appointment of Lee to the presidency, rather than his official assumption of office.
The ceremony was streamlined, featuring only key elements such as the inaugural speech and oath, while omitting full-scale protocols and the traditional motorcade to minimize any disruption in state affairs.
About 360 people attended, including top officials from major state institutions — the National Assembly, Supreme Court, Constitutional Court and National Election Commission — along with lawmakers.
After the event, Lee met with the Assembly’s cleaning workers and security guards – the unsung heroes who protect democracy — to thank them.
President Lee Jae-myung and his wife Kim Hye-kyung pose with cleaning staff at the National Assembly after the inauguration ceremony in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
The Presidential Office said that on the night of Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, security guards stood at the forefront, protecting the National Assembly from soldiers attempting to breach the main building and block lawmakers from voting to repeal the law. Behind the scenes, cleaning staff played a vital role, tending to the Assembly and clearing the aftermath of the chaos.
Following his arrival, Lee met with political party leaders and the Assembly speaker for a luncheon, where they discussed the urgent need for political unity.
“I hope politics will not be a battle but a forum for communication, understanding and healthy competition,” he said. “Politics should fulfill its true purpose: resolving the people’s challenges and uniting the nation.”
President Lee Jae-myung, center, poses with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, fourth from right, and political leaders at the National Assembly before a luncheon, Tuesday. Yonhap
“Since we can’t do everything perfectly on our own, I sincerely hope we can create better lives through policies everyone supports,” he said. “I will reach out often, so please make time for me. I hope we can speak openly, no matter the topic.”
The Assembly speaker chose bibimbap as the menu — a Korean mixed rice dish with meat and assorted vegetable s— to symbolize unity.
Progressive minor party leaders pledged full support for Lee’s administration, urging him to protect the vulnerable and hold accountable those involved in Yoon’s martial law plot. Meanwhile, conservative party leaders voiced concerns about the ruling party's parliamentary dominance and called for a stronger separation of powers.
After the luncheon, Lee headed to the Presidential Office in central Seoul’s Yongsan District to announce key Cabinet appointments.
Lee visited the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff's (JCS) combat control room to speak with commanding officers and discuss ways to strengthen defense measures.
As the commander-in-chief, he pledged to focus on restoring troop morale, said Kang Yu-jung, a presidential spokesperson, during a press briefing at the presidential office.