Pres. Lee, Ruling Party Chief Hold Talks

President Lee Myung-bak and ruling Grand National Party Chairman Park Hee-tae yesterday held a one-hour closed meeting at the presidential office.

They discussed the depth and direction of the Cabinet reshuffle expected this month and by-elections scheduled for October.

President Lee asked Park to encourage the ruling party to support the government’s pragmatic and low-income friendly policies adopted last month.

Park said his party`s lawmakers should be nominated for ministerial posts.

Both also talked of the prospects for the National Assembly’s regular session next month and countermeasures.

Park expressed his will to run for a parliamentary seat in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, in the October by-elections, a matter that he and President Lee put emphasis.

If Park runs, it will force a reshuffle of the ruling party and change the political landscape since he will have to step down as chairman.

Also attending the talks were Maeng Hyung-gyu, senior secretary to the president for political affairs, the ruling party`s general director Jang Gwang-geun, and Park’s chief secretary Kim Hyo-jae.

After posing for photos with the other participants, President Lee and Park started a one-on-one meeting.

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