▲ President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from L) speaks during a luncheon with minor party and independent lawmakers at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 29, 2026. (Yonhap)
▲ President Lee Jae Myung (3rd from R) hosts a luncheon with minor party and independent lawmakers at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on April 29, 2026. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) Lee-minor parties

(LEAD) Lee stresses need for bipartisan support in diplomacy, national security issues

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SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday warned against "self-defeating" behaviors by rival political parties in matters involving diplomacy and national security, calling for their unity in overcoming crises.

Lee made the remarks in a luncheon with 21 lawmakers -- 19 representatives from five minor parties and two independents -- marking the first time he has hosted only minor party and independent lawmakers together at Cheong Wa Dae.

"If you look at other countries, it is rare to see (rival parties) engage in self-defeating behavior in areas such as diplomacy and national security, even though they clash over domestic issues," Lee said.

"Disappointingly, there still seem to be some (self-defeating) tendencies within us," he added, insisting that the public would want politicians "to demonstrate unity in order to overcome crises."

Lee did not provide specific details, but the remarks came as rival parties continue to wrangle over diplomatic issues, including reported U.S. complaints over a Seoul minister's reference to Kusong as a North Korean uranium enrichment site, among others.

"External situations are in a very bad shape ... and such issues cannot be addressed on our own," the president said.

"To overcome these difficulties, it would be desirable for (parties) to take a public-minded approach when dealing with external relations," he noted, calling for bipartisan cooperation.

The participating minor parties included the Rebuilding Korea Party, the Jinbo Party and the New Reform Party, each with fewer than 20 lawmakers, the threshold needed to form a parliamentary negotiating group.

The presidential office said the luncheon was part of the president's efforts to broaden "inclusive" communication and was aimed at "emphasizing bipartisan cooperation in addressing pending livelihood issues and the legislative process."

The event was the latest in a series of meetings Lee has held with lawmakers. Last month, the president hosted a dinner with first-term lawmakers, followed by a luncheon with the leadership of the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party earlier this month.

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