President Lee Jae-myung to Host Key Party Leaders for Talks on Economy & Politics

President Lee Jae Myung will host a luncheon today with leaders from the ruling and opposition parties at the presidential office.

Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik announced on February 11th that President Lee would invite Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok to a luncheon on February 12th.

Kang explained that the luncheon is intended to discuss bipartisan cooperation for economic recovery and national stability, and that a candid exchange of views on a broad range of state affairs will take place without limiting the agenda.

He added that President Lee is expected to urge responsible cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties to create tangible changes for citizens, and expressed hope that the meeting would serve as a starting point for communication and cooperation in the new year.

The luncheon is expected to cover a wide range of key issues, including trade negotiations with the United States, administrative integration of local governments, and measures to stabilize prices for Lunar New Year goods.

The possibility of discussing the so-called “3 special investigations” proposed by the opposition party is also drawing attention. These include special investigations into the Daejang-dong development case, alleged ties between the Democratic Party and the Unification Church, and alleged bribery related to Democratic Party nominations.

Some observers are also speculating about a potential discussion between President Lee and Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae regarding the proposed merger between the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party.

However, Kang Hoon-sik drew a clear line, stating, “The merger is a matter for the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party to decide. The presidential office has no separate position on the discussions.”