President Yoon Seok-yeol began dinner on the 24th with the new leadership, including People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, and candidates for the July 23 convention.
This dinner, which was arranged through a phone call between President Yoon and Representative Han the day before, was held at Pine Grass, the outdoor garden of the Presidential Office in Yongsan, starting at 6:30 p.m. The dinner’s ending time has not been set yet.
From the Blue House, about 10 people including President Yoon and senior secretaries attended, while from the ruling party, Representative Han, elected supreme council members, and key party officials attended.
Representatives Na Kyung-won and Yoon Sang-hyun, who competed for the party leadership with Han, and former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong were also invited to the dinner, but it has not yet been revealed whether they will attend.
An official from the Blue House met with reporters that morning and explained the meaning of the dinner, saying, “President Yoon also said in his (convention) congratulatory speech that ‘the ruling and opposition parties must become one’ and that they are a ‘community with a shared destiny. ’” He added, “Today’s dinner will be a dinner of great reconciliation to unite the ruling and opposition parties.”
The dinner menu consisted of pork belly, pork ribs, and lettuce wraps, and was reportedly selected by President Yoon himself.
An official from the Blue House explained, “Samgyeopsal, a typical common food, symbolizes the government, the ruling party, and the Blue House,” and “lettuce wraps symbolize everyone coming together and uniting.” He also explained, “The common people and samgyeopsal mean something to eat together at dinnertime while chatting away.” This is interpreted as President Yoon expressing his intention to have a candid conversation with the new leadership, including Representative Han.
Reporter Jeong Bong-oh, Donga.com bong087@donga.com
Source: www.donga.com
