Through the ruling-opposition-government consultative body, President Lee Jae-myung and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties gathered in one place. The consultative body found common ground on items such as an extra budget, but only confirmed differences over the "cancellation of indictment parliamentary inquiry" and the "constitutional amendment proposal." Still, both sides said the opening of dialogue was meaningful.
After the meeting of the ruling-opposition-government livelihood and economy consultative body held at the Blue House on the 7th, the ruling and opposition parties each said in briefings that they had formed some consensus focusing on livelihood issues such as the extra budget. Choi Bo-yoon, senior spokesperson of the People Power Party, said, "We proposed a 'seven-point livelihood extra budget,' including easing fuel cost burdens and supporting livelihood transportation operators, and the Democratic Party of Korea expressed a 'positive review' of it," leaving open the possibility of future discussions.
However, Senior Spokesperson Choi said, "(Between cash support measures and a fuel tax cut) there was a difference in perspective with President Lee Jae-myung regarding the fuel tax cut."
At the meeting, contentious points in the extra budget bill, such as reflecting TBS funding, were sorted out. Kang Jun-hyun, senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Party leader Jung Chung-rae said the party's position is withdrawal."
However, the ruling-opposition-government failed to reach agreement on the "parliamentary inquiry into alleged fabricated indictments by the political prosecution under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration." The People Power Party argued, "Due to external crises such as the Middle East war, the parliamentary inquiry should be postponed until after the war ends," but the Democratic Party of Korea said, "(Fabricated indictments) are state violence, and as the criminal facts are increasing, the fact-finding should be conducted by a special committee." President Lee was said to have not expressed a separate position on the matter.
A gap was also confirmed between the opposition and the president over the special act for Busan Global Hub City. The People Power Party said, "Leader Jang and Floor Leader Song repeatedly recommended passage of this bill," but Senior Spokesperson Kang said, "(The president) said, 'Then what about Daegu and North Gyeongsang?'" and added, "We understand it as meaning he would like other regions such as Daejeon and South Chungcheong to be promoted together."
The ruling-opposition-government agreed on the need for constitutional revision itself but could not narrow their differences. President Lee said, "With May 18 approaching, I understand there is no disagreement about including it in the preamble of the Constitution," and asked, "Please seriously consider strengthening the requirements for martial law and enhancing local autonomy." The People Power Party said, however, "We agree, but conveyed the position that it should be done after the local elections in terms of timing." In particular, Leader Jang said, "We recommended to President Lee Jae-myung that before discussing constitutional revision, the president should preemptively declare to the public that he will not serve consecutive or multiple terms."
Regarding the ruling-opposition-government livelihood and economy consultative body meeting on the 7th, the ruling and opposition parties assessed that it was a meaningful venue for communication. The People Power Party said, "It was an opportunity to listen to discussions on the seven-point livelihood extra budget projects and to provide concrete explanations on livelihood issues such as a fuel tax cut."
The Democratic Party of Korea also said, "The livelihood consultative meeting was a session that opened the way for communication," and added, "Overall, in a friendly atmosphere, we confirmed each other's positions and shared the need for cooperation to overcome the livelihood crisis."