President Lee Jae-myung met with leaders from the ruling Democratic Party and minor parties at Cheong Wa Dae on Friday for a 90-minute luncheon. He urged bipartisan cooperation to resolve issues including a massive data breach at Coupang Inc., financial troubles at Homeplus Co., and a labor dispute at GM Korea Co. The main opposition People Power Party leader did not attend.
On January 16, 2026, President Lee Jae-myung held a 90-minute luncheon meeting at Cheong Wa Dae with leaders from the ruling Democratic Party and five minor parties: the Rebuilding Korea Party, New Reform Party, Basic Income Party, Jinbo Party, and Social Democratic Party. During the discussion, Lee urged bipartisan cooperation to address pressing national issues, including a massive data breach at e-commerce giant Coupang Inc., financial difficulties facing discount chain Homeplus Co., and an ongoing labor dispute at GM Korea Co., the South Korean unit of General Motors Co. Participants agreed on the need for joint efforts to resolve these matters, according to presidential secretary for public relations and communication Lee Kyu-youn in a press briefing.
Lee also called for unity on security and foreign affairs matters in the national interest, referencing his recent visits to China and Japan. Notably absent was Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the main opposition People Power Party, who began a hunger strike on Thursday to demand the passage of special probe bills related to Unification Church bribery allegations and illicit payments in Democratic Party election nominations.
This marked Lee's third meeting with party leaders since taking office in June 2025 and his first since September. He is scheduled to hold a New Year's press conference on January 21, the first official one since the presidential office relocated back to Cheong Wa Dae. In it, Lee plans to outline his 2026 policy vision, covering livelihoods, the economy, diplomacy, security, society, and culture. It will be his third press conference overall, following those in July and September.
