Overview
- People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok withdrew about an hour before the scheduled three-way meeting, citing the Democratic Party’s overnight push to expand the Supreme Court to 26 justices and allow constitutional complaints against finalized Supreme Court rulings.
- Cheong Wa Dae canceled the luncheon with President Lee Jae Myung and Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae after Jang’s notice, expressed regret over the lost chance for dialogue, and faced recriminations from both parties.
- The meeting had been arranged to explore bipartisan cooperation on state affairs, including a special investment bill tied to U.S. trade negotiations after tariff hikes threatened by President Donald Trump.
- Earlier this week, the Democratic Party formally suspended merger talks with the Rebuilding Korea Party until after the June 3 local elections, as Chair Jung Chung-rae apologized for internal friction and emphasized party unity.
- Rebuilding Korea Party leader Cho Kuk accepted the postponement and agreed to a 'solidarity and integration' preparatory committee, seeking clarification on whether pre-election cooperation would be substantive or symbolic.