President Moon and Ruling and Opposition Leaders Discuss Meeting... Immediate Arrangement Uncertain Due to COVID-19 Spread

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The possibility of a meeting between President Moon Jae-in, Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, is being discussed in political circles on the 17th. However, with the rapid increase in new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the likelihood of the meeting taking place immediately appears low.

According to political sources on the day, Choi Jae-sung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, reportedly visited the National Assembly last week after his appointment and proposed a meeting between President Moon and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties at the Blue House. This is interpreted as an intention to seek cooperation ahead of the regular September session of the National Assembly.

Additionally, it could serve as an occasion to urge cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties for recovery from damage caused by the heavy rains and the COVID-19 situation.

The most recent meeting between President Moon and the party leaders was held on February 28 at the National Assembly Sarangjae, where they discussed cooperation measures to respond to COVID-19.

President Moon also mentioned at a meeting with parliamentary leaders after the National Assembly opening ceremony on the 16th of last month, "I am waiting for an opportunity to invite each party leader to the Blue House," adding, "I will actively communicate without any special formality and strive for cooperation."

However, it seems that some time will be needed before the meeting can be realized. Not only the government but also the Blue House is on high alert to block the spread of COVID-19 centered in the metropolitan area, and since the Democratic Party will hold its party convention on the 29th of this month and a new leadership will be established, opinions suggest that it would be appropriate for the meeting to take place after that.

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