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President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a lunch meeting with ruling and opposition party leaders at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on June 22. Clockwise from bottom left: Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byung-ki, President Lee, PPP interim leader Kim Yong-tae, PPP floor leader Song Eon-seok, and Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung met with ruling and opposition party leaders over a 105-minute lunch on June 22, marking their first in-person gathering since his inauguration. The presidential office praised the occasion as a “significant step forward in rebuilding dialogue” after prolonged political deadlock.

During the luncheon at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, ruling People Power Party (PPP) interim leader Kim Yong-tae and floor leader Song Eon-seok directly pressed Lee on pending issues, including the controversy surrounding Prime Minister nominee Kim Min-seok and Lee’s ongoing legal proceedings. Nonetheless, the atmosphere was seen as a promising start toward political normalization.

The meeting began with a photo session in the yard. “Welcome back from the G7 summit,” Kim greeted Lee, to which Song added, “Congratulations.” Moving indoors, President Lee opened with, “I’ve wanted to meet you soon and as often as possible.”

He noted that South Korea had received unexpected hospitality during the G7 summit, interpreting it as a signal that global confidence in the country had been restored. He emphasized bipartisan cooperation on foreign affairs, stating, “When it comes to diplomacy, we must respond together, regardless of political affiliation.”

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President Lee Jae-myung listens to remarks from PPP floor leader Song Eon-seok (back to camera) during a luncheon with party leaders at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on June 22. At right is PPP interim leader Kim Yong-tae. / Source: Yonhap News

During the meeting, Kim Yong-tae presented seven policy suggestions to the president, including proposals on economic growth, welfare, foreign affairs, judiciary reform, and housing issues in Seoul. Song raised concerns over fiscal expansion policies like consumer vouchers and the parliamentary committee structure.

A senior official from the presidential office clarified that Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byung-ki merely raised the need to improve the confirmation hearing system, rather than making accusations against specific nominees.

According to Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Woo Sang-ho, President Lee shared his concern that qualified individuals are increasingly reluctant to serve due to excessive scrutiny of their families during nominations.

Lee reportedly listened attentively to the opposition's position on the distribution of parliamentary committee chairs and responded that the issue should be resolved through bipartisan negotiation within the National Assembly.

President Lee also asked Song Eon-seok, known for his economic expertise, several questions about labor and post-COVID debt issues. Song emphasized the need for reforms in areas like unemployment benefits.

Woo added that Lee expressed interest in pursuing bipartisan policy commitments shared during last year’s election campaigns, saying, “If we have common ground, why not act on it together?” The party leaders agreed to review this possibility.

“Both sides agreed the meeting marked the beginning of candid dialogue between the president and political leadership,” Woo said. “They also agreed to meet more frequently going forward.”

The lunch featured multicolored noodles, symbolizing political harmony. “The use of the residence for this lunch was intentional to foster more relaxed and honest conversation,” an official said, adding, “We even joked that the colorful noodles represented unity, and everyone laughed.”

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President Lee Jae-myung heads to the lunch venue with party leaders after a commemorative photo at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on June 22. From left: PPP floor leader Song Eon-seok, PPP interim leader Kim Yong-tae, President Lee, and Democratic Party floor leader Kim Byung-ki. / Source: Yonhap News