Yoon Emphasizes Communication, Will He Meet Lee Jae-myung, Who Returned to Party Affairs?

Changed Atmosphere Unlike Before When Meeting Possibilities Were Closed

Political circles are focusing on the possibility of a meeting between President Yoon Suk-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. With Lee set to return to party duties on the 23rd, and President Yoon emphasizing public welfare and communication following the by-election defeat of the Gangseo District Mayor, a shift in political dynamics is also being sensed.

The meeting between the two has been mentioned since shortly after President Yoon’s election in April last year but has not materialized. The Blue House has consistently stated that it is difficult for the president to meet with a criminal suspect. When Lee proposed a public welfare summit on the 29th of last month, the Blue House effectively declined, saying, "There is nothing special to say."

However, with President Yoon recently expressing a willingness to strengthen communication, there is analysis that a meeting between the two could take place.

On the 19th, President Yoon said, "Many people point out that communication is lacking, so I am reflecting a lot and trying to communicate more," and a Blue House official responded to questions about the possibility of meeting Lee by saying, "We will listen to various voices from all sectors going forward." Although the official did not explicitly state a position on a meeting with Lee, this is interpreted as a change in the previous stance that had closed off the possibility of a meeting.

President Yoon Suk-yeol (left) and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Political circles also see the possibility of a meeting between President Yoon and Lee in the long term, even if it does not happen immediately.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Young-woo appeared on CBS Radio’s "Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show" on the 20th and said, "I feel that (President Yoon) wants to change everything a bit," adding, "It might be difficult to meet right now, but in the long run, he can meet with Lee."

Former Blue House Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Choi Jae-sung said on CBS Radio the same day, "He won’t meet right now, but in the long term, I think they could meet." Choi added, "For now, they won’t meet. Saying they might meet in the long term means things have to deteriorate further for that to be possible. Since Lee proposed a public welfare summit, meeting immediately would show sincerity, but I don’t think that will happen."

People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung emphasized that President Yoon must meet with Lee. On CBS Radio that day, he said, "The president said, ‘The people are always absolutely right.’ Then, although the decision might not be easy, he must engage in politics that accepts losing to the people," adding, "There is a poll showing that half of the public supports the president meeting the opposition leader."

Ha explained, "One reason the president said he cannot meet Lee is because of the arrest warrant consent and detention review. Since the prosecution belongs to the executive branch," he said, "But now, no more arrest warrants will be issued, and since it has moved to judges and trials, it is under the separation of powers and not within the president’s domain. There is no conflict of interest, so now the conditions for a meeting are fully met."

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