President Yoon Suk-yeol met with the newly elected leader of the main opposition People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, and conveyed the message that “the party’s affairs should be handled by the leader,” according to reports on the 31st. Park Jeong-ha, the chief of staff of the People Power Party, met with reporters at the National Assembly that day and conveyed that the president said, “‘The party’s affairs should be handled by the leader, and if done well, listen to various opinions in the process,’ to the leader.” He added, “Please interpret the president’s kind words to the leader.”
According to sources in the ruling party, President Yoon and Leader Han met at the Blue House in Yongsan the day before (30th). This meeting came just six days after they had dinner with the new party leadership, including Leader Han, on the 23rd.
While there were rumors in the political circle that President Yoon and Leader Han’s meeting lasted only about 10 minutes, Chief of Staff Park confirmed that the meeting actually lasted about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Park stated, “They met around 11 a.m. and talked for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The idea that it was only 10 minutes was a baseless rumor.”
Park also commented on the background of the sudden meeting, saying, “Wasn’t it suggested from various quarters to meet and communicate with the president more often? Isn’t it desirable and a good thing to continue such meetings?”
It is expected that it will take some time for the remaining party positions, including the appointment of the policy committee chairman, to be announced. Leader Han had canceled his public schedule for that day. He is likely to gather various opinions within and outside the party to finalize the party positions, including the issue of Jeong Jeom-sik’s position as the policy committee chairman.