President Lee Jae-myung on the 19th joked to Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae, "Are you perhaps anti-Myung (anti–Lee Jae-myung)?" Jung replied, "We are all pro-Myung (pro–Lee Jae-myung) and pro-Blue House."
Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party of Korea's chief spokesperson, introduced in a written briefing the dinner held this afternoon between President Lee and the party leadership. The dinner was arranged at the president's invitation following the reshuffle of the party leadership, including new floor leader Han Byung-do and Supreme Council members. It took place from 6 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. at the main building of the Blue House.
According to Chief Spokesperson Park, the president said, "I asked to meet soon on the occasion of the formation of the new leadership," and explained the purpose of the dinner by saying, "I want to hear often, through you who are breathing with the people on the ground, the public sentiment and stories of the world that I may not fully grasp."
He then tossed a joke to Jung, asking, "Are you perhaps anti-Myung?" and, at Jung's retort, reportedly burst into hearty laughter.
Jung emphasized, "I always resolve that we must work even harder, with utmost devotion, for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration," adding, "We will unite tightly around the president and fulfill the party's role to build a great Republic of Korea."
Floor leader Han Byung-do said, "There are 184 bills that need to be pushed swiftly in relation to the Lee Jae-myung administration's state agenda, but only 37 of them have passed the National Assembly so far, so we will mobilize all our capabilities and focus on passing the legislation going forward."
In addition, attendees freely continued conversations on responses to rapid changes in the international situation, the successful promotion of administrative integration, and broad collection of opinions on follow-up legislation for prosecution reform. The dinner menu included octopus tataki salad, flatfish and tuna sashimi, grilled amberjack in soy sauce, fried oysters, and multigrain rice with clear cod soup.
Chief Spokesperson Park said, "Supreme Council member Park proposed a toast with Gyeongju beopju, using the slogan 'party members' sovereignty, popular sovereignty,'" and added, "(The party leadership) pledged to refine the party's diverse voices and become a Democratic Party that firmly supports the president."