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President Lee Jae-myung watches as Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae (left) and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk (right) shake hands during a luncheon at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on September 8. / Source: Yonhap News

President Lee Jae-myung hosted a rare luncheon with ruling and opposition leaders on September 8, stressing that genuine power-sharing and frequent dialogue are essential for “politics of coexistence.”

Meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan with Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, Lee encouraged the ruling camp to take the first step toward compromise. “Since the ruling party has more, it should yield more,” Lee told Jung, adding that the governing bloc must lead in bridging political divides.

In his opening remarks, Lee underscored that “the president’s greatest responsibility is to unify the people,” saying he must now act as “the president for all citizens, not just the Democratic Party.” He called for reducing misunderstandings through regular dialogue, finding common ground on overlapping policy pledges, and presenting a unified voice in external negotiations to strengthen Korea’s national interest.

Lee lightened the atmosphere by arranging a handshake between Jung and Jang, remarking, “It looks good,” as both exchanged lighthearted jokes.

Following the luncheon, Lee held a 30-minute one-on-one meeting with Jang — his first private session with an opposition leader since taking office. Jang pressed Lee to veto the Democratic Party’s expanded “special prosecutor bills” on the insurrection case, First Lady Kim Keon-hee, and the death of a Marine, as well as a proposed special court for insurrection trials. He also criticized the government over the detention of Koreans in Georgia, U.S., and raised concerns about prosecution reform, the labor solidarity act, and corporate governance bills.

Despite differences, both sides agreed to form a joint “People’s Livelihood and Economy Council” in the National Assembly as a channel for tripartite consultation between the government, ruling party, and opposition. Lee welcomed the proposal, saying bipartisan initiatives on shared policy goals would ultimately benefit both the opposition and the government’s success.

During the private session, discussions also touched on youth employment measures, adjustments to the capital gains tax threshold on stock holdings, and ways to stimulate regional construction markets. Lee reportedly responded that such proposals would be “positively reviewed” in coordination with relevant ministries.