Yoon Jaeok: "Democratic Party Seems to Want Summit Meeting as a Victory Celebration"

Yoon Jaeok, floor leader and acting party leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for pushing to include the "Chae Sergeant Special Prosecutor Act" and other issues as agenda items for a summit meeting, saying that their political motives are clear.

Yoon Jaeok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the discussion forum titled "Tasks Left by the 22nd General Election," hosted by the Yeouido Institute at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

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At a floor countermeasures meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 26th, Yoon stated, "The Democratic Party has been demanding a summit meeting under the pretext of addressing livelihood issues, but judging by their current attitude, it seems they want the meeting as a victory celebration." He continued, "Their approach is to hold a meeting focused on agenda items with clear political motives, such as demanding an apology for President Yoon Suk Yeol's exercise of veto power. I question whether such demands, where the answer is already decided and all that's left is for the other party to agree, are truly in line with the purpose of a summit meeting."

Yoon also remarked, "The Democratic Party's messaging has become excessive recently. Previously, some hardliners within the Democratic Party said the word 'cooperation' should be erased from their minds. I hope such extreme statements do not reflect the party's true intentions or the will of Democratic Party leader Lee Jaemyung." He added, "If the Democratic Party uses its parliamentary power not for cooperation but to force the government to yield, I cannot help but worry about the future of the 22nd National Assembly. I urge everyone to remember that the summit meeting is not for the government, the ruling party, or the Democratic Party, but solely for cooperation in the interest of people's livelihoods."

The previous day, working-level officials preparing the summit meeting between President Yoon and Lee held a second round of negotiations but failed to narrow their differences. The Democratic Party insists that the Chae Sergeant Special Prosecutor Act and similar issues be included as agenda items for the summit, but the presidential office remains reluctant. However, there is speculation that the summit meeting could gain momentum. On the morning of the 26th, Lee stated at the Supreme Council meeting, "I am willing to set everything aside and meet with President Yoon," adding, "I will meet President Yoon and deliver the public sentiment revealed in the general election without any filter." The working-level officials from both sides were scheduled to hold a third round of negotiations later that morning.

Meanwhile, Yoon welcomed the surprise growth in South Korea's GDP in the first quarter of this year but expressed concerns about its sustainability. The Bank of Korea announced the previous day that the real GDP growth rate for the first quarter of this year was 1.3% higher than the previous quarter. Yoon commented, "There were significant concerns about sluggish domestic demand, so it is good news that growth was driven by an expansion in domestic demand, contrary to those concerns." However, he added, "Given the overall challenging conditions related to private consumption and construction investment, it remains uncertain whether this growth trend will continue." He further stated, "I hope the government will develop measures to sustain growth by boosting private consumption without causing excessive inflation, and discuss these with the political community."

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