[THE INVESTOR] The presidential office, the ruling party, and the government met Thursday, seeking to cooperate over economic revitalization and to cement relationships in the new parliamentary term.

Key officials of the Saenuri Party, the Cabinet and Cheong Wa Dae met at Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn’s official residence for the first tripartite gathering since the 20th National Assembly kicked off on May 30.


From the Blue House, the recently appointed presidential Chief of Staff Lee Won-jong participated, accompanied by senior presidential secretaries for policy coordination, political affairs and economic affairs.

Representing the Saenuri were its interim leader Kim Hee-ok, floor leader Rep. Chung Jin-suk, vice floor leader Rep. Kim Do-eup and chief policymaker Rep. Kim Gwang-lim.

This was their first official encounter since the presidential office reshuffled its ranking members including the chief of staff. The ruling party established its incumbent leadership last month.

“The top priority agenda in today’s meeting is the nation’s economy and the people’s livelihood,” said floor leader Chung at the party’s interim leadership meeting in the morning.

“We will not only discuss ongoing issues such as the supplementary budget bill, restructuring plans for industries, and the Gimhae Airport (expansion plan), but also deal with legislative topics, focusing on economic revitalization and labor reform bills.”

Underlining the importance of administration-legislative partnership, Chung urged the party, government and presidential office to form a “dream team” so as to achieve the nation’s economic goals.

The Cabinet representatives, consisting of Prime Minister Hwang and deputy prime ministers, largely focused on pushing for the extra budget plan set to support the restructuring program for ailing industries, especially the distressed shipbuilding sector.

Their claim is that the budget bill should be approved within a certain time limit, or else it may not have the intended pump-priming effect upon the economy.

The Saenuri, while expressing willingness to cooperate, also took time to distance itself from the Blue House ahead of the meeting, namely over criticism of the presidential office lacking communication with the public.

“In today’s meeting, we will urge Cheong Wa Dae and the government to step out actively and interact with the people and the parliament,” the party whip said.

Vice floor leader Kim added that noneconomic issues -- such as fine dust damages, toxic humidifier disinfectant aftermaths, follow-up measures for Sewol ferry victims, and the country’s cash-strapped Nuri child care curriculum -- will also be subjects of discussion.

The three-way talks were originally scheduled to be held on June 17, shortly after the new Assembly kicked off, but was called off due to the Saenuri’s internal feuding.

On June 14, the party’s emergency committee decided to reinstate seven controversial defectors who had left the camp in the run-up to the April 13 general election, rekindling the factional divide within the party and widening the gap between the party and the presidential house.

At the heart of the dispute was Rep. Yoo Seong-min, Daegu’s fourth-termer and the party’s former floor leader, known for his deep rift with President Park Geun-hye. His return to his home camp has been considered a yardstick of Saenuri’s willingness to overcome the chronic strife between the pro-Park and the non-Park factions.

Interim committee chief Kim Hee-ok, who had temporarily boycotted party affairs in protest against the reformists’ decision, resumed his position upon Chung’s apology, to lead the party until it elects new leadership in early August.

By By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)