Lee meets senior ruling party lawmakers: "Words and actions must also meet public expectations"

Dinner with Nine Senior Lawmakers Who Have Served Five or More Terms
Urges Party Unity and Solutions to Livelihood Challenges

President Lee Jaemyung had dinner on the 28th with senior lawmakers of the Democratic Party of Korea who have served five or more terms, urging them to fulfill their responsibilities as the ruling party and promote harmony within the party. He particularly stressed that the party must meet the public’s expectations not only through its policy achievements but also in its words and actions. With tensions continuing within the ruling camp, his remarks are seen as a call for senior lawmakers to help mediate differences and foster unity within the party.

President Lee Jae-myung poses for a commemorative photo at the Blue House on Oct. 28, 2026, after hosting a dinner for senior lawmakers who have served five or more terms, including Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Ji-won. Yonhap News Agency

Hong Ik-pyo, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, said in a written briefing that President Lee had invited senior Democratic Party lawmakers who have served five or more terms to the Blue House for dinner and expressed his gratitude for their efforts in leading the party and the National Assembly.

President Lee stressed that, as people face mounting hardships, the party and the Blue House must communicate and cooperate closely to find practical solutions. He also said he would actively incorporate into the administration of state affairs the experience and wisdom that senior lawmakers have accumulated over their long political careers.

He underscored the importance of the ruling party’s role, particularly when people are facing difficult times. His point was that the party must not only deliver policy results but also act responsibly in its words and actions, in a way that meets the public’s expectations.

President Lee urged senior lawmakers to actively contribute to reconciling diverse views within the party and advancing reform, improving people’s livelihoods, and promoting unity. Nine lawmakers attended the dinner: six-term lawmaker Song Young-gil and five-term lawmakers Kim Tae-nyeon, Park Jiwon, Ahn Gyu-baek, Woo Won-shik, Yoon Ho-jung, Lee In-young, Chung Dong-young, and Jung Sung-ho.

Attendees exchanged views on key issues facing the administration, including the need for constitutional and political reforms; improving inter-Korean relations and promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula; reviving the economy and securing local government finances; and ensuring stability and harmony within the party. They also proposed specific policy measures. President Lee said, "We will treat the views of senior lawmakers as a valuable asset in governing the country and work together to deliver results for the people."

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