▲ President Lee Jae-myung speaks during a Cabinet meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on November 3.
President Lee Jae-myung invited the leadership and executive board of the Parliamentarian's Society of the Republic of Korea to Cheong Wa Dae for a luncheon today (November 4) and listened to their opinions on state affairs, Senior Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing.
In his opening remarks, Jeong Dae-cheol, chairman of the society, called on President Lee to take the lead in dialogue and coordination to pursue politics of coexistence, bipartisan collaboration, and unity, and proposed a constitutional revision during his presidential term to establish a power-sharing presidency and strengthen regional decentralization.
President Lee remarked at the gathering, "Just as one must compromise even with adversaries, dialogue and communication are vital, and the experience and counsel of political elders are desperately needed," expressing hope that the role of the society would expand.
In connection with this, Chairman Jeong told Yonhap News in a phone call that he asked President Lee to "become a president of forgiveness, reconciliation, and embrace," urging communication and bipartisan cooperation with the opposition.
Chairman Jeong also explained, "I asked him to step in if he sees (the ruling party's) legislative railroading or excessive interference with the judiciary," adding, "When I said that, he replied with thanks."
Regarding constitutional amendment, President Lee noted, "Given the contemporary environment, the current Constitution has aspects that are like clothing that no longer fits modern society," but pointed out, "A constitutional revision led by the president may have low public acceptance."
He added, "The fact that a constitutional revision requires the consent of more than two-thirds of National Assembly members is also a high barrier," saying, "It is desirable for the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly to find areas where they can reach agreement and proceed based on consensus."
President Lee also referred to the opposition's critical offensive alleging a "constitutional revision aimed at extending the presidential term," remarking to the effect that "even with good intentions, if I take too much of a lead (in constitutional revision), it could broaden misunderstandings," according to Chairman Jeong.
Chairman Jeong also called for a cautious approach regarding the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) currently being pursued by the government.
"While the retrieval of wartime operational control must be done someday, we should be cautious right now," Chairman Jeong suggested. "We need to properly reconcile the stances of North Korea and the United States and pursue a NATO-style nuclear sharing arrangement alongside the OPCON transfer."
President Lee did not give a particular response to this suggestion, Chairman Jeong said.
Members of the society also offered a variety of advice on the direction of state affairs.
Along with favorable assessments of President Lee's livelihood-centered activities, such as his on-site visits regarding rural basic income, and his efforts to normalize South Korea-Japan relations, there were also calls for ruling-opposition harmony, tackling social polarization, establishing a "cybersecurity czar" organization, and fostering economic growth, Senior Spokesperson Kang said.
After listening attentively, President Lee responded, "As the goal of politics is to improve the lives of the people, it must be pragmatic," adding, "Pragmatism, moderation, and dialogue are also essential in national policy, and above all, the path of the golden mean is the most important."
President Lee also said, "Following our efforts since the launch of the Popular Sovereignty Government to reverse national debt and negative growth, economic indicators are gradually gaining breathing room," adding, "The situation where nominal growth is projected to exceed 20 percent must also reach the public as 'an improvement in my life,'" according to Senior Spokesperson Kang.
Toward the end of the lunch, society members joked with President Lee—referencing that the society consists of former members of the National Assembly—by saying, "The president is also a member of our society," to which President Lee smiled broadly and responded, "I will carefully look into the advice you have shared."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※
Copying, redistribution, and unauthorized use in AI training are strictly prohibited.