Following his party’s recent election victory, South Korea’s opposition leader Lee Jae-myung urged President Yoon Suk-yeol to agree to special investigations into allegations involving top officials and his wife during their meeting on Monday to discuss bipartisan cooperation.
This meeting marked their first encounter since Yoon, a conservative former prosecutor, took office in 2022 after narrowly defeating Lee, a liberal former governor, in the presidential election. The 2022 campaigns were marked by intense demonization between Yoon, Lee, and their respective supporters, resulting in numerous lawsuits.
Yoon initiated the meeting amid increasing pressure to collaborate with Lee’s Democratic Party, which secured victory in the April 10 parliamentary election, extending its control over the National Assembly until after Yoon’s single term ends in 2027.
In his opening statement, Lee, now the Democratic Party chairman, emphasized the election results as a reflection of the people’s desire for correcting the government’s mistakes, addressing economic challenges, and upholding democratic principles.
Lee called on Yoon to support independent investigations into the 2022 Halloween tragedy in Seoul that claimed 159 lives and the 2023 death of a marine during a rescue operation. He also pressed Yoon to address suspicions surrounding his family, particularly involving the first lady’s alleged involvement in stock manipulation.
During the meeting, Yoon acknowledged Lee’s remarks without elaborating, as the media was not present for the rest of their discussions.
Despite no concrete agreement, Yoon expressed willingness to consider a special law for investigations into the Halloween deaths. However, concerns over the investigative committee’s authority need resolving first. Lee’s other demands for probes were not discussed during the meeting.
Lee also proposed providing all South Koreans with a monetary boost to the economy, a suggestion Yoon’s party deemed populist. However, Yoon preferred targeted financial support for those in need.
Although no solution was reached, both leaders agreed to meet again without setting a date. Additionally, Lee assured support for the government’s efforts to increase medical school enrollment, a contentious issue that led to a recent doctor strike.
The parliamentary election served as a test for Yoon’s leadership amid criticism of his management style and the government’s handling of economic challenges. Despite the defeat, Yoon’s foreign policy agendas are likely to remain intact, focusing on strengthening ties with the US and Japan to address North Korea’s nuclear threats.
During the meeting, there was limited discussion on foreign policy matters, indicating a need for further dialogue between Yoon and Lee.