[News Today] “Bipartisanship to overcome crisis”

[LEAD]

President Lee Jae Myung met with lawmakers from minor non-negotiating parties and independents over a luncheon at Cheong Wa Dae. He stressed that politics must show unity in the face of crises such as the Middle East conflict. And he urged lawmakers to take a unified, public stance, especially on foreign and security issues.

[REPORT]

President Lee Jae Myung invited lawmakers from five minor non-negotiating parties and independents to Cheong Wa Dae for the first time since taking office.

Twenty-one lawmakers attended, except Reform Party head Lee Jun-seok and Basic Income Party leader Yong Hye-in who were absent due to prior engagements.

The president stressed the need for politicians to demonstrate unity and bipartisanship in order to overcome crisis amid aggravating external conditions.

He asked them to adopt a more united, public-minded stance on diplomatic and security affairs, which are different from domestic issues.

Lee Jae Myung / President

It is hard to see self-destructive behaviors on external issues. But such tendencies still persist in the country.

The attending lawmakers asked the president to show greater attention to more diverse issues, including energy conversion and balanced national development.

Seo Wang-jin / Floor leader, Rebuilding Korea Party

I'm asking you to speed up energy conversion, one of the state tasks.

Chun Ha-ram / Floor leader, Reform Party

You proposed a merger between Jeonnam and Gwangju but left cost issues to them. Please look into it.

Jinbo Party Floor Leader Yoon Jong-o lent support to the president's drive to normalize the real estate market, urging a tax reform to abolish tax breaks granted to single-home owners on long-term ownership.