President Lee Jae Myung Calls for Bipartisan Cooperation on Diplomacy and National Security
President Lee Jae Myung hosted a luncheon with minor party and independent lawmakers in Seoul, urging unity on foreign affairs and security matters. He highlighted the need for parties to avoid divisive actions in these areas amid ongoing challenges. The meeting is part of Lee's efforts to promote inclusive communication across political groups.
koreaherald.comSEOUL, April 29, 2026 - President Lee Jae Myung stated that rival political parties should avoid behaviors that undermine national interests in diplomacy and national security, advocating for unity to address crises. He made these comments during a luncheon with 21 lawmakers, including 19 from five minor parties and two independents, at Cheong Wa Dae.
This was the first such gathering hosted by Lee focused solely on minor party and independent lawmakers.
"If you look at other countries, it is rare to see (rival parties) engage in self-defeating behavior in areas such as diplomacy and national security, even though they clash over domestic issues," Lee said. He added that there appear to be some such tendencies domestically and emphasized that the public expects politicians to show unity in overcoming crises.
Lee did not specify details, but the remarks occurred amid ongoing disputes between parties over diplomatic issues, including reported U.S. complaints regarding a Seoul minister's reference to Kusong as a North Korean uranium enrichment site.
"External situations are in a very bad shape ... and such issues cannot be addressed on our own," Lee stated. He noted that overcoming these difficulties requires a public-minded approach to external relations and called for bipartisan cooperation. The minor parties involved included the Rebuilding Korea Party, the Jinbo Party, and the New Reform Party, each with fewer than 20 lawmakers, below the threshold for forming a parliamentary negotiating group.
The presidential office stated that the luncheon aimed to broaden inclusive communication and emphasize bipartisan cooperation on livelihood issues and legislative processes. This event follows a series of meetings Lee has held with lawmakers, including a dinner with first-term lawmakers last month and a luncheon with the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party earlier this month.
