Yoon to have first proper chat with rival DP chief ahead of budget speech

President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to have a rare meeting with Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung ahead of his budget speech at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, left, shakes hands with President Yoon Suk Yeol after paying condolences for his late father, Yoon Ki-jung, a professor emeritus of Yonsei University, at Severance Hospital in Seodaemun District, western Seoul, on Aug. 15. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

President Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to have a rare meeting with Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung ahead of his budget speech at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Lee decided to attend a meeting that Yoon plans to hold with the leaders of his People Power Party (PPP) and the DP ahead of the speech on next year's budget, Rep. Kwon Chil-seung, a DP spokesman, told reporters after a supreme council meeting.

This meeting could be the first proper dialogue between the president and his presidential election rival since Yoon came into office in May 2022, leading to speculation about whether the talks could open the door to joint governance amid the conflict between the rival parties.

Kwon said while "there were many opinions," Lee ultimately decided to attend the meeting.

The talks before the parliamentary speech are expected to include PPP chief Kim Gi-hyeon, Justice Party leader Lee Jeong-mi and the PPP and DP floor leaders.

Yoon is also expected to meet with the National Assembly speaker, prime minister and the heads of the Supreme Court, Constitutional Court, National Election Commission and Board of Audit and Inspection ahead of his speech.

It had been unclear until early Monday whether Lee would meet with Yoon, but the liberal DP head appears to have decided to better highlight his role as the leader of a responsible political party amid ongoing political friction.

Yoon and DP's Lee have so far exchanged brief greetings at government ceremonies and formal events.

The DP boycotted Yoon's first budget speech last year, which could have been an occasion for the president and Lee to speak earlier.

The speech last October came a day after prosecutors raided the DP headquarters as part of an investigation into allegations that a longtime confidant of Chairman Lee may have used illegal political funds for Lee's election campaign.

Last month, Lee went on a 24-day hunger strike protesting the Yoon government, which ended because of his deteriorated health. He has been dealing with accusations of involvement in land development scandals in Seongnam, Gyeonggi, during his time as the city's mayor, and underwear company Ssangbangwool's illegal cash remittance to North Korea during his time as Gyeonggi governor.

Regarding such a meeting with Lee ahead of Yoon's budget speech, a presidential official told reporters Monday that before a budget speech, there is time for the dignitaries, including the leaders of the rival parties, "to gather together and have a chat."

He added, "In particular, since the National Assembly is the representative body of the people, [the president] will listen carefully to the voices of the parliamentary leaders when he meets them."

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]