President Lee Jae Myung Hosts Luncheon With Minor Party Lawmakers at Cheong Wa Dae

SEOUL, April 29 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung was set to host a luncheon with lawmakers from minor parties and independents at Cheong Wa Dae on Wednesday, a move aimed at expanding communication, officials said. The luncheon is expected to bring together 21 lawmakers, including 19 representatives from five minor parties, marking the first time Lee will host all minor party and independent lawmakers together at Cheong Wa Dae, according to the presidential office. The minor parties, including the Rebuilding Korea Party, the Jinbo Party and the New Reform Party, each have less than 20 lawmakers, the threshold needed to form a negotiating group. At the meeting, the president is expected to outline government policies on major issues, including the response to the Middle East conflict, prosecution reform and the real estate market, and seek cooperation from the minor parties. The presidential office said the luncheon is part of the president's efforts to broaden "inclusive" communication and is aimed at "emphasizing bipartisan cooperation in addressing pending livelihood issues and the legislative process." The event is 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.