이 대통령 ‘식사 정치’로 당·청 결속하나…민주당 의원 전원 초청

President Je Nam is broadening contacts within his own party through "meals politics." This move is aimed at healing the severe factional conflicts following the recent general election and boosting governmental efficiency. On the 25th, President Je Nam plans to invite the newly appointed leadership of the Democratic Party to the Blue House for a banquet.

This will include Democratic Party Chair Kim Min Sik, Deputy Representative Han Byung Do, and key party officials. Following this, on the 28th, President Je Nam will invite all Democratic Party members to the executive office in Yangjeong-dong for a luncheon. This marks the first time since last August that the President has met with all the party's parliamentary members in a group setting.

A spokesperson for the Blue House stated that these gatherings are intended to reinforce the "firming up of the party-chancellor relationship" and "to unite in working together for the national government and the party." President Je Nam has previously hosted banquets for party leaders Kim Dae Jung, Lee Chong Rae, and Song Young Gil to address factional disputes in the party.

At these meetings, he has emphasized that "the party, government, and people form an 'unbreakable community' and 'partners in national affairs'" and urged them to "work together to make this year the 'non-replaceable year of Korea'." With the regular national assembly set to convene in September, there is also an intention to strengthen party-government unity.

The President plans to discuss an extensive list of domestic issues, including the reform of the food and drug safety system, housing supply in the metropolitan area, and amendments to the criminal procedure code. Major legislative tasks, such as the budget for next year, are expected to be on the table. Democratic Party members will attend the luncheon at the executive office on the 27th and 28th, following the completion of their preparatory work for the regular national assembly in Incheon.

The President is expected to stress the need for swift legislative processing, as the regular assembly has a reputation for slow progress. In a recent address, President Je Nam expressed his delight at the recent passage of the "fast-track (speedy processing of bills) bill," which reduced the time for national assembly hearings from a maximum of 330 days to 90 days.