The Democratic Party of Korea said it would concentrate on people's livelihoods and on-the-ground issues following President Lee Jae-myung's press conference. It urged the People Power Party not to use the press conference as fodder for political conflict and instead to cooperate on livelihood issues and on resolving gaps in the judicial system.
Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, said at a supreme council meeting held in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, on the 21st: "In keeping with the spirit of the president's press conference, we will focus on people's livelihoods and the field with our original resolve and humility." He added, "I hope the opposition will also become a partner in fair competition to improve people's livelihoods."
Kim also signaled a willingness to cooperate with Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who has continued to criticize the Lee Jae-myung administration. "We will accelerate construction of semiconductor fabs in Yongin and Pyeongtaek, and the party will carefully attend to the support needed to ensure that investment in power, water and transportation infrastructure proceeds without disruption," he said, adding, "We will work to resolve Gyeonggi Province's fiscal weakness." Turning to Choo, he said, "I trust and expect that she will serve as an outstanding and excellent model in every respect, including policy, personnel appointments and communication."
Floor leader Han Byung-do also referred to the president's press conference, saying the party would respond to Lee's commitment to reform by delivering results on livelihood issues.
"In his press conference on the 18th, President Lee Jae-myung said that in the face of the public's concerns, he would first reflect on the government's shortcomings and serve the people more humbly," Han said. "He stated the principle that there will be no troop dispatch, and asked that provisions on the transfer and disposition of already-indicted cases be deleted from the special counsel law to prevent unnecessary controversy over the withdrawal of indictments."
Directing his remarks at the People Power Party, Han said it was "preoccupied with disparaging the entire press conference with harsh phrases such as 'appeasing the left' and 'a cowardly president,' while turning away from the president's clear answers." He added, "We are now in the middle of the regular parliamentary session, and this is a time to attend to people's livelihoods ahead of the Chuseok holiday."
Han went on to say, "In line with the president's call for self-reflection, the Democratic Party will respond by serving the people more humbly and by producing clear results for their livelihoods."
