New presidential secretaries meet with DP chief Lee Jae-myung

Politics

Published: 14 Dec. 2023, 18:35

New presidential secretaries meet with DP chief Lee Jae-myung

From left, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, Lee Kwan-up, the president's chief of staff for policy, and Han O-sub, senior secretary for political affairs meet for the first time at the DP's chief office at the National Assembly on Thursday. [YONHAP]

Newly appointed presidential secretaries met with the head of the rival Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, on Thursday, marking the first encounter since the reshuffle at the end of last month.

Lee Kwan-up, the president's chief of staff for policy, a newly created senior position equivalent to the chief of staff and national security adviser, and Han O-sub, senior secretary for political affairs, requested DP support in approving the government's next-year budget during the meeting.

“As the DP holds the majority of seats, we ask for your cooperation, including with the budget and bills that would benefit the public,” the president’s chief of staff for policy said.

The budget missed its legal deadline two weeks ago.

During the meeting, DP chief Lee requested that President Yoon Suk Yeol respect the legislative body and refrain from vetoing legislation approved by the National Assembly.

President Yoon vetoed four pieces of legislation on Dec. 1, including a pro-labor bill known as the “yellow envelope law,” which limits companies from making financial claims against union members for damages caused by union strikes.

The DP, which holds a parliamentary majority, rushed the bills through the National Assembly, with strong opposition from the president's People Power Party, which refused to vote.

“We hope that the National Assembly and legislated bills are respected, considering that the parliament is an institution that the people elected,” Lee said.

In response, the president's secretaries highlighted that the current administration's economic policy is grounded in a market economy, suggesting that bills such as the 'yellow envelope' go against free market policies.

The DP chief also raised concerns about the government’s cut on the R&D budget, stressing that the outlays are essential for the country’s future growth.

The DP independently approved an R&D budget for next year on Nov. 14. The passed R&D budget was 800 billion won more than the government's proposal of 25.9 trillion won, an on-year cut of 5.2 trillion won.

The president's secretaries emphasized the need to restructure budget items, including R&D, arguing that they serve entrenched special interests.

They also said taxpayer money was being used for purposes other than for what it was intended without proper oversight.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]