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On the 2nd, President Lee Jae-myung's policy speech on the supplementary budget bill at the National Assembly plenary session proceeded relatively calmly, with lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties listening attentively. President Lee approached not only members of the ruling party but also senior lawmakers from the opposition to greet them and engage in conversation.

That afternoon, President Lee held a preliminary meeting with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and the leadership of both parties at the National Assembly before entering the plenary chamber at around 2:10 p.m. This was President Lee's third policy speech: following the one in June last year and the second supplementary budget bill and the new year’s budget bill in November.

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a policy speech on the first supplementary budget bill for 2026 at the National Assembly plenary session on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

As President Lee appeared, ruling party lawmakers lined up on both sides from the entrance to the podium, applauding to welcome him.

Dressed in a dark navy suit and a striped necktie, President Lee first greeted Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae. He then shook hands with floor leader Han Byung-do, Secretary General Cho Seung-rae, Deputy Floor Leader for Operations Cheon Jun-ho, Deputy Floor Leader for Policy Kim Han-kyu, and other members of the party leadership as he proceeded to the podium.

He also exchanged greetings with lawmakers who have announced their candidacy for the June 3 local elections. He shared a lengthy handshake and words of encouragement with Han Jun-ho, who is running for governor of Gyeonggi Province, and also greeted Kim Sang-wook, Min Hyung-bae, Park Chan-dae, and other lawmakers with handshakes.

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a policy speech on the 2026 first supplementary budget bill at the National Assembly plenary session on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Taking the podium, President Lee began his speech by looking at the lawmakers and saying, "It feels somewhat unfamiliar to be here again after such a long time."

During President Lee’s roughly 16-minute speech, Democratic Party lawmakers applauded nine times in response. In particular, when he emphasized, "I want to make it clear that this supplementary budget bill is a 'debt-free supplementary budget' that does not require new government bonds," the lawmakers responded with applause. President Lee replied with an unscripted remark, "Thanks to the members here, the economic situation has gradually improved."

President Lee Jae-myung is greeting members of the People Power Party after delivering the policy speech on the first supplementary budget for 2026 at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

After finishing his speech, President Lee exited through the left aisle where the opposition lawmakers were seated. He was seen shaking hands first with Kim Jae-seop and Kim Yong-tae, both from the People Power Party, and then engaging in a lengthy conversation while shaking hands with senior members Lee Hun-seung, Joo Ho-young, and Park Chung-kwon. He also greeted floor leader Song Eon-seok. However, some People Power Party lawmakers hurriedly left the plenary chamber right after the speech, before greeting President Lee.

President Lee then crossed the back of the plenary chamber toward the Democratic Party seating area, shaking hands with each of the assembled Democratic Party lawmakers, as well as members from minority parties such as the Rebuilding Korea Party and the Social Democratic Party. After greeting lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties, President Lee left the plenary session after about ten minutes.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.