The ruling party, government, and presidential office emphasized their commitment to becoming a 'one team' to promote the U.S.-South Korea tariff negotiations and livelihood bills at the high-level party-government meeting. This high-level meeting is the first since Jeong Cheong-rae was appointed as the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.
During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th, Jeong noted, 'A government report regarding follow-up measures for the U.S.-South Korea trade negotiations is scheduled for today's meeting,' adding, 'The party and government will closely share information and analyze the various impacts on the livelihood economy and the industrial sector to formulate countermeasures.'
He further stated, 'The party will do its utmost to ensure strong support from the presidential office and the government. The party, government, and presidential office must operate as one team and move together as one body,' and continued, 'We will respond firmly to any attempts to undermine the outcomes of the negotiations with unreasonable claims or to hinder subsequent responses through chronic obstructions.'
Jeong emphasized the importance of close communication among the party, government, and presidential office to successfully host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju in October. He also urged the government to focus its capabilities on disaster recovery support.
Jeong stated, 'We will unite our efforts to ensure the APEC summit can be successfully held. Let the party, government, and presidential office communicate closely so this can be a turning point for Korea's great leap forward,' and added, 'For the disaster victims, I request that the government consider practical supports for living, including provisions for dwellings using mobile homes or repurposed school buildings.'
Kim Min-seok, the Prime Minister who presided over the meeting that day, remarked, 'Just as the essence of popular sovereignty and party member sovereignty is the same, the party, government, and presidential office must always be a complete community of responsibility,' emphasizing the concept of 'one team.' He stated, 'We will work together to completely coordinate reforms and the economy and achieve our common goals of overcoming internal strife, ensuring public stability, and recovering growth.'
Kang Hoon, the Chief of Staff to the President, said, 'While we have reached a broad agreement on the U.S.-South Korea negotiations, there are still detailed follow-up procedures remaining, so it is necessary for the party, government, and presidential office to become one team and respond with full force.' He added, 'To maintain the U.S.-South Korea alliance firmly, it is also necessary to strengthen communication channels between the U.S. and South Korea. I request the party's special attention and support.'