Opposition leader asks Yoon to agree to special probe, resolve family issues.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung asked President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday to agree to a special probe into suspicions surrounding a Marine's death and to resolve suspicions surrounding his family in an apparent reference to first lady Kim Keon Hee.
Lee made the demands during his first-ever meeting with Yoon at the presidential office, which followed the ruling People Power Party's humiliating defeat to Lee's Democratic Party (DP) in the April 10 parliamentary elections.
Lee also asked that the president accept his election pledge to give 250,000 won (US$182) in cash handouts to the entire population and agree to a special bill aimed at determining the truth behind the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush that left 159 people killed.
"I ask that you actively accept the special counsel investigation bill for Marine Chae and the special bill for the Itaewon tragedy," the DP leader said, referring to Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed last July during a search mission for downpour victims.
He further asked that the president express regret for previously vetoing bills and promise to respect the decision of the National Ass_embly in the future.
"I also believe it would be good if you could take this opportunity to resolve various allegations surrounding people around you, including your family, which are a major burden on the running of government affairs," Lee said.
Though he stopped short of naming the people, Lee was apparently referring to his party's calls for a special probe into allegations of stock price manipulation involving the first lady.
The DP leader's opening remarks were open to the press, but the remainder of the over two-hour meeting was held behind closed doors.
Lee Do-woon, senior presidential secretary for public relations, later briefed reporters on Yoon's response to the demands, including that he is not completely against the Itaewon bill but its current version poses "legal" issues that need to be resolved.
Meanwhile, Lee also asked that Yoon accept his cash handout pledge.
"I ask that you actively consider the emergency measure to restore people's livelihoods, which was proposed by our Democratic Party," the DP leader said, specifically proposing the government distribute the cash in the form of local business vouchers so the benefit can be felt directly by small business owners and other vulnerable groups.
On that, the president said it would be better to help people in need first, given the country's fiscal situation and high inflation, according to Lee, the senior secretary.
The two did, however, agree on the need for medical reform, an issue that has caused serious disruptions to health care services after thousands of young doctors walked off the job in February in protest.
Lee promised the DP's active cooperation on the government's medical reform plans, including its decision to increase admissions to medical schools, saying a good solution could be found if the ruling and opposition parties, as well as the medical community, jointly discussed the issue at a special parliamentary committee proposed by the DP.
The two agreed to meet regularly in the future and shared the view that matters related to people's livelihoods are the most important political and policy issue, said Lee, the senior secretary.
Still, the two sides noted differences in terms of specific ways to improve people's livelihoods, with Yoon suggesting the establishment of a consultation body involving both parties and the government, and Lee calling for prioritizing discussions at the National Ass_embly, according to the senior secretary.
The meeting, the first since Yoon came into office in May 2022, was seen as a test of how much the two sides are willing to cooperate on politics and government affairs.
Cooperating with the opposition bloc has become ever more important for Yoon as he will have to work with an opposition-controlled National Ass_embly for the remaining three years of his single, five-year term. The DP held a majority in parliament during his first two years in office as well.
Lee listed a series of other issues during the meeting, including those related to foreign policy.
He said he hopes Yoon will consider shifting to a "national interest-centered practical diplomacy" and make active efforts to ensure "the people's pride is not damaged with regard to relations with Japan," citing Tokyo's territorial claims to South Korea's easternmost islets of Dokdo, the two countries' shared history and the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
"I would like you to respect the National Ass_embly and acknowledge the opposition party as a partner in state affairs," he also said. "If you try to make the National Ass_embly and the opposition party surrender with your executive power, it will not be easy to succeed in state affairs."
Yoon and Lee were accompanied by three aides each as they talked over tea. Yoon was joined by his chief of staff Chung Jin-suk, senior political secretary Hong Chul-ho and senior public relations secretary Lee. The DP leader was joined by his chief of staff Cheon Jun-ho, DP chief policymaker Jin Sung-joon and senior DP spokesperson Park Sung-joon.
No joint statement was released following the meeting.
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