Lee calls ruling party 'governing partner' at Cheong Wa Dae dinner with Democratic leaders

President Lee Jae Myung said Wednesday that the ruling party, the government and Cheong Wa Dae are "a community of shared destiny" and "governing partners bound by a common mission of the times," calling on all present to join forces to make this year "the founding year of an irreplaceable Republic of Korea."

Presidential political affairs secretary Hong Ik-pyo conveyed the remarks in a written briefing, saying Lee hosted a dinner at Cheong Wa Dae with newly elected Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, party leadership candidates Jung Chung-rae and Song Young-gil, and floor leader Han Byung-do "to celebrate the party's new beginning and share a spirit of harmony."

The dinner featured a dish called "harmony yukhoe" — a beef tartare prepared with signature ingredients from the home regions of each candidate. It incorporated Jongno-style yukhoe representing Kim's hometown, ginseng from Jung's home of Geumsan and yuzu from Song's native Goheung. Cheong Wa Dae said the dish reflected the president's wish that the candidates, who had traveled the country campaigning, could rest and recover: "Yuzu is good for relieving fatigue, while ginseng and beef are classic restorative ingredients."

Lee opened by congratulating Kim on his election and offering words of comfort and encouragement to Jung and Song for their efforts, saying all three candidates were "comrades who have shared life's hardships together and key players responsible for the people's sovereignty government."

Kim then apologized for "some excessive remarks" made during the party convention and proposed that the group work together to support party unity and the administration's governance.

Jung responded by saying, "We are comrades and fellow soldiers who crossed the line of life and death together during the Dec. 3 emergency martial law insurrection. As a community of shared destiny with the Lee Jae Myung government, we must pool our strength to recapture power through victories in the general election and presidential election."

Song cleared up a misunderstanding with Jung and expressed regret over controversies that arose during the convention, Hong said. Song also said coordination between the party and Cheong Wa Dae was needed on real estate tax policy, Hong added.

The dinner began around 6:30 p.m. and ran past 9 p.m. in a warm and convivial atmosphere.

Hong said the attendees agreed to do their utmost for the success of the people's sovereignty government as "an even stronger one team," and pledged to communicate and cooperate more closely in their respective roles to deliver results that all citizens can feel.