Ruling Bloc Welcomes President Lee, Opposition Stays Cool... Lee Shakes Hands with Rep. Cho Kyung-tae [Budget Address: Highlights]

As Cho Heedae entered the National Assembly, People Power Party lawmakers shouted, "Stay strong!"
The president and the People Power Party also sparred over remarks on government bonds.

Reactions from the ruling bloc and the People Power Party diverged during President Lee Jaemyung’s address on the 2027 budget in the National Assembly plenary chamber on Nov. 2. Democratic Party lawmakers applauded and listened attentively whenever the president made key remarks. People Power Party lawmakers, meanwhile, remained silent throughout, though some shouted, “Resume the trial against President Lee!” during the speech.

President Lee Jaemyung enters the main building of the National Assembly to deliver a policy speech on the 2027 government budget proposal, Nov. 2, 2026. Photo by Yoon Dongju

Before the address, President Lee arrived at the main entrance of the National Assembly’s main building at around 9:44 a.m. He bowed in greeting to opposition lawmakers holding a protest rally in the National Assembly Rotunda. People Power Party lawmakers responded with chants condemning the government, including “Stop pressuring the judiciary” and “Stop the Future Debt Pile Fund.”

President Lee then went to the National Assembly Speaker’s office, where he held a preliminary meeting with National Assembly Speaker Jo Jung-sik, Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae, Constitutional Court President Kim Sang-hwan, National Assembly Speaker Jo Jung-sik, Prime Minister Han Seong-suk, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk. Chief Justice Jo, who is at odds with the ruling bloc, was also cheered by People Power Party lawmakers as he entered the National Assembly, with some shouting, “Stay strong!”

When President Lee entered the plenary chamber at around 10 a.m. to deliver his address, Democratic Party and other ruling-bloc lawmakers gave him a standing ovation. After shaking hands with Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok and others, President Lee greeted the opposition side, but opposition lawmakers showed little reaction, their expressions stern.

People Power Party lawmakers held a silent protest throughout the address, displaying signs reading “Stop intimidating the judiciary! Protect judicial independence!” and “1,400 trillion won in national debt + 162 trillion won Future Debt Pile Fund.” The ruling party applauded throughout the speech while the opposition remained silent. At one point, opposition lawmakers murmured in response to President Lee’s remark that “there is almost no net increase in government bond issuance.” A tense exchange also broke out when opposition lawmakers shouted slogans such as “Resume the trial!” and President Lee responded.

After concluding his address, President Lee shook hands with Democratic Party lawmakers as he left the chamber. The ruling bloc saw him off with a standing ovation lasting about two minutes. Opposition lawmakers left immediately without showing any particular reaction. However, People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae was the only opposition lawmaker to shake hands and exchange a brief conversation with President Lee as he departed.

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