At Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee Tells Ruling and Opposition Leaders: "Let’s Communicate Often and Check the Facts"

According to The Financial News, President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea held a meeting of the Ruling–Opposition–Government People’s Livelihood and Economy Consultative Body at Cheong Wa Dae on the 7th. He and the participants exchanged views on current issues, including the government’s proposed supplementary budget and response measures related to the Middle East war.
At the meeting, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk conveyed concerns about the method of supplementary budget support, as well as about the exchange rate and growth forecasts. In response, Lee Jae-myung said, "Leader Jang has come very well prepared and raised many points, and it really feels like I am taking questions in a parliamentary interpellation session, but they are important observations." He continued, "Some of them are factual, some are a bit taken out of context, and some are a little different, so it would be good if the ministers or the prime minister could explain them item by item."
Lee Jae-myung went on, "As Leader Jang said, when our views differ, it is better to meet and talk often. We can disagree, and our positions may not fully converge." He stressed, "But we can at least greatly reduce misunderstandings, so I would like to meet like this frequently. This is not just for show, to take pictures and use them for publicity."
He added in particular, "Through extensive communication and dialogue, it is better to at least agree on the objective facts before we argue. If we talk in completely different ways about the same facts, that is not a dialogue but can turn into a fight." He urged, "It would be good for the ruling and opposition parties, and for the government and the opposition, to communicate and meet often while checking the facts."
At the same time, Jang Dong-hyuk told the president, "The government has put forward a supplementary budget of more than 26 trillion won. Frankly, there is considerable concern." He said, "It is only right to provide support where it is truly needed. However, if the plan is to distribute cash to 70% of the population, it will instead have a negative impact on prices and the exchange rate. In particular, the value of our won has fallen sharply compared with neighboring countries." He also mentioned other economic issues, including the downward revision of growth forecasts and the real estate market.
cjk@fnnews.com Reporter Choi Jong-geun Reporter