President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Democratic Party of Korea Chair Rep. Lee Jae-myung for the first time since taking office in May 2022, aiming to explore the potential for bipartisan collaboration following the opposition party's significant victory in the recent general election. The meeting began with Lee presenting proposals on urgent domestic issues, and concluded with some differences between the two leaders. Despite this, they agreed to continue communicating to bridge the gaps and scheduled further meetings following their initial two-hour discussion. During the talks, Lee urged the president to support a special investigation into a Marine's death and address concerns related to his family, while also pressing for Yoon's endorsement of a campaign promise for cash handouts to the population and another special probe into the 2022 Itaewon crowd crush. Yoon's media aide indicated that the president acknowledged the need for a renewed investigation but raised concerns about legal issues in the Democratic Party's proposal. Additionally, Yoon proposed the establishment of a three-way consultative body involving the ruling party, the main opposition party, and the government. The meeting took place amidst challenges faced by Yoon's administration, including a decline in his approval ratings and the need to restore public support following the ruling bloc's defeat in the general election. The meeting between President Yoon and Democratic Party Chair Lee marked a significant shift in Yoon's approach, as he had previously been hesitant to engage with opposition leaders. The discussions highlighted the differing priorities and concerns of the two parties, as well as the complexities of navigating political dynamics in South Korea.