Jeon Eun-su Says "President Lee Doesn't Do Lip Service... His 'Let's Meet Often' to Jang Dong-hyeok Was Sincere"

[Financial News] Jeon Eun-su, presidential spokesperson at Cheong Wa Dae (the Blue House), said on the 8th that when President Lee Jae Myung told People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyeok the previous day that he "would like to see you often," "the president does not engage in lip service" and added, "It felt sincere to me."
Appearing on SBS Radio that day, Jeon said, "Last time as well, he wanted to continue holding meetings between the ruling and opposition parties and the government, so he usually says he is 'the president for everyone, not just for one side.'" He then made these remarks. At the People’s Livelihood and Economy Consultative Body meeting over lunch on the 7th, attendees included President Lee Jae Myung; Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) leader Jung Chung-rae and floor leader Han Byung-do; PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok and floor leader Song Eon-seok; the chief spokespersons of both parties; Prime Minister Kim Min-seok of South Korea; presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik; and Cheong Wa Dae senior political secretary Hong Ihk-pyo.
Regarding Jang’s request that the president "declare that he will not seek a second or third term," Jeon explained, "You can take it that the president listened carefully and exchanged views," adding, "It did not seem to be a situation where he said clearly, 'Yes' or 'No.'"
After the meeting, the PPP claimed that the president had avoided giving a direct answer, but Cheong Wa Dae countered that this was "completely untrue." Cheong Wa Dae stressed, "The president responded that, regarding constitutional amendment for re-election, it is impossible to revise and pass the currently promulgated amendment bill, and that it is effectively impossible when the opposition holds enough seats to block constitutional revision."
In addition, Jeon was asked whether he might run in the Ulsan Nam-gu Gap constituency, which became vacant after Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Kim Sang-wook was confirmed as the final candidate for Mayor of Ulsan. He replied, "The ink on my appointment paper has not even dried yet. I will now work hard and devote myself to ensuring the success of the Lee Jae Myung administration." Jeon joined the DPK in January 2024 and previously ran in the 22nd general election in the Ulsan Nam-gu Gap constituency. After President Lee took office, Jeon was appointed deputy spokesperson and has served in that role, and this month he was promoted to spokesperson.

cjk@fnnews.com Reporter Choi Jong-geun Reporter