Will the Meeting Between President Moon and Representative Kim Jong-in Take Place?... Ruling Party Also Says "President and Opposition Should Meet"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Will President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, meet to put their heads together on urgent issues such as the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)? The ruling party said to the United Future Party, which is insisting on "justification," that "demanding conditions first is a frivolous attitude."

As the Blue House and the United Future Party are discussing whether to hold a summit meeting, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting on the 21st, "It is necessary for the president and the ruling and opposition parties to meet abruptly, discuss overcoming the COVID-19 crisis, and agree on practical measures to restore people's livelihoods."

He said, "The United Future Party is insisting on justification and showing a conditional attitude, but what justification is greater than the economic crisis?" and added, "Demanding conditions first is a frivolous attitude from the public's perspective." He continued, "In times of emergency, substance takes precedence over justification," and urged, "I ask the United Future Party to make a wise decision so that a meeting between the president and party leaders can be arranged as soon as possible."

Earlier, the Blue House proposed a meeting on the 21st between Chairman Kim and President Moon, but Kim rejected it, saying, "There is nothing to talk about if we meet, so what is the point of eating together?" He did not hide his suspicion that it would be a meaningless meeting just to pretend cooperation. There is also a "learning effect" within the party that despite a meeting between Floor Leader Joo Ho-young and President Moon, there was no substantial cooperation.

In response, on the 20th, Choi Jae-sung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, held a private meeting with Floor Leader Joo and asked in the spirit of "It is necessary to facilitate the meeting between Chairman Kim and President Moon once again."

However, since Chairman Kim is requesting a one-on-one meeting and emphasizing the need for a "specific agenda," it is uncertain whether the meeting will take place soon. A United Future Party official explained that Chairman Kim's acceptance of a conditional meeting means "he will consider whether to meet if he feels sincerity in politics for the people, not politics for themselves."

Meanwhile, due to the spread of COVID-19, the ruling party is discussing a plan to provide a second disaster relief fund through the fourth supplementary budget. The opposition party also supports the fourth supplementary budget and the second disaster relief fund, so this discussion is likely to accelerate rapidly.

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