President Lee Jae-myung, luncheon meeting with the leadership of the ruling and opposition parties - Chief of Staff Woosangho briefing on the results

Introduction: The First Step in Governance, Starting from 'Dialogue'

On June 22, 2025, the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties gathered at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul. The first meeting led by President Lee Jae-myung, just 18 days after his inauguration, holds political significance beyond a mere 'lunch.' The President clearly expressed his intention to begin his governance with 'dialogue' and 'communication,' marking the first practical implementation of the people's-centered politics emphasized by the Democratic Party, which is the realization of a 'people's sovereignty government.' This meeting was an attempt not only to report on diplomatic achievements but also to establish a foundation for cooperation with the National Assembly and send a message of unity across the political arena. President Lee declared the restoration of politics that acknowledges and persuades opponents over authoritarian rule or unilateral policy promotion, aiming to open a new paradigm for governance. The decision to hold an official meeting with the opposition quickly and lightly reflects this political philosophy.

Main Point 1: Timing and Format Indicate Political Authenticity

President Lee Jae-myung's recent meeting took place unusually quickly due to political scheduling. Despite being immediately after his inauguration and attending the G7 summit, he clearly intended to share domestic political issues directly with the opposition by moving the meeting date from early July to the third week of June. In fact, Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik initially suggested a meeting in early July, but the President insisted that "now is the right time," demonstrating a political decision-making aspect. Moreover, the choice of a luncheon format is not merely a matter of protocol. The scene of the President and party leaders sharing noodles carries a simple yet powerful political message. The presence of various colored noodles symbolized 'unity' and fostered open and candid conversations in a relaxed atmosphere rather than a formal one. President Lee Jae-myung's method, which embodied political authenticity within the format of the meal, served as a model for political communication shown to the public.

Main point 2: President Lee Jae-myung's message and the strategy of the Democratic Party

The core of the meeting lies in the political and economic messages conveyed directly by the president. First, the president shared South Korea's diplomatic achievements on the international stage while explaining the G7 summit and NATO cooperation plans. He emphasized the importance of continuity in foreign policy and securing trust by citing examples such as Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's positive consideration of attending the 60th anniversary event of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations and the positive responses received in economic diplomacy with European leaders. Second, the president requested the National Assembly to review and process the second supplementary budget bill for economic recovery and revitalization. This reflects the government's philosophy of alleviating the suffering of the lower-income class through short-term financial input and swiftly restoring economic vitality. The Democratic Party conveyed its stance to quickly cooperate after ensuring procedural legitimacy related to the National Assembly schedule and the formation of standing committee chairpersons, emphasizing the need for cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties. Third, in response to the opposition's concerns regarding the personnel verification of Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok, a restrained response followed. The president stated that "providing an opportunity for clarification through the hearing is the right approach," prioritizing respect for procedures, while acting chairperson Kim Byung-ki from the Democratic Party raised the need for reform of the personnel hearing system. The president's mention of the realistic difficulties in attracting talent is seen as an attempt to shift the personnel issue, which has become a subject of political strife, towards a more institutional approach. Fourth, regarding the composition of National Assembly standing committees and the allocation of the chairperson of the Legal Affairs Committee, the president stated, "I will leave it to the National Assembly's autonomous negotiations," clearly delineating that the executive branch will not interfere in the operation of the National Assembly. The Democratic Party confirmed its stance that while it would take responsibility as the majority party for normalizing the operation of the National Assembly, it would also ensure that the voices of the opposition are fairly reflected within the assembly.

Main Point 3: The Democratic Party's Political Message - Dialogue as the Starting Point for Cooperation

The most notable stance taken by the Democratic Party during this meeting was the inclination towards 'avoiding political conflict' and 'focusing on cooperation.' Acting Party Leader Kim Byeong-ki requested the People Power Party to cooperate with the operation of the National Assembly, such as the composition of standing committee chairs, emphasizing that “if the president's intention is unity and collaboration, the opposition party should respond accordingly.” This also indicates the Democratic Party’s intention to strengthen its image as a responsible governing party at the center of future state operations. Additionally, the president suggested that both parties should work together to implement common pledges made during the presidential election. The proposal to collaborate on livelihood issues, rather than contentious political matters, transcends ideology and party lines, aligning precisely with the Democratic Party’s pragmatic approach. In fact, the Democratic Party is reportedly evaluating the possibility of joint legislation with the opposition based on the similarity of pledges in areas such as education, childcare, and job creation. From a political perspective, this meeting conveyed the message that the Democratic Party, as the majority party in the National Assembly, aims to realize consensus politics not merely by pushing legislation through, but by seeking compromise with the opposition. Even amidst ongoing party leadership competition, the leadership demonstrated its ability to maintain focus and drive cooperation, making this meeting a venue for strategic messaging rather than just a simple event.

Conclusion: Institutionalization and Cooperation, a Gateway to the Future

The lunch meeting between President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party was not just a simple display of political rhetoric or staging, but rather a concrete practice that revealed the direction of state governance. After the meeting, the president repeatedly emphasized the need for regularization and expressed his intention to establish a 'continuous dialogue structure' with the public, the National Assembly, and opposition parties. Most importantly, this meeting confirmed the possibility that the concept of 'integration' can be realized not just in words but through specific policies and processes. As for future political schedules such as handling the supplementary budget, prime minister confirmation, and the composition of the National Assembly, this meeting will be a gateway and test of how the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party will implement cooperation. President Lee Jae-myung’s philosophy of governance, emphasizing integration over division and pragmatism over political strife, was clearly demonstrated during this meeting. The Democratic Party is also showing its responsibility and strategy as a party that aligns with this philosophy, which could lead to a positive transformation in the overall political culture of South Korea beyond short-term political achievements.