Rep. Lee Jae-myung, left, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), shakes hands with Han Dong-hoon, chairman of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), before their meeting at the National Assembly, Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

Ruling People Power Party (PPP) Chairman Han Dong-hoon and main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung failed to reach an agreement over contentious issues during their first official meeting, Sunday, amid expectations that it could signal a shift away from the prolonged political deadlock.

Although the two sides agreed to cooperate on several livelihood-related issues, the meeting ended without any resolution to their differences on thorny issues. Contentious topics they couldn't overcome included a bill for a special counsel investigation to look into allegations of government interference in the military's investigation of the death of a Marine during a flood rescue operation last year and a cash handout initiative plan proposed by Lee.

"We discussed the special counsel probe bill on the Marine's death, but failed to reach an agreement," Rep. Jo Seoung-lae, spokesperson of the DPK, said during a press briefing after the meeting.

Lee had expressed hope that they would reach an agreement on a proposal originally suggested by Han during his own campaign for party leadership, in which a third party would be invited to plan the special investigation for the fallen Marine.

They, however, agreed to form a consultative body to discuss people's livelihood issues on which both parties share common ground, work together at the Assembly level to resolve the medical crisis stemming from the doctors' walkout and urge the government to ensure preparations for medical emergencies during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, bolster the semiconductor and AI industries, expand child care support including extending parental leave for dual-income couples, initiate an Assembly-level response to the issue of deepfake sexual exploitation crimes and reactivate a district party office system.

Han called for abolition of the financial investment income tax as the top priority for discussion, but Lee suggested a comprehensive review of measures and stock market structure before reaching a conclusion.

This marked the first one-on-one meeting between leaders of the rival parties since 2013 when Rep. Hwang Woo-yea, then chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party, and Rep. Kim Han-gil, Hwang's main opposition Democratic Party counterpart, sat down for formal talks. Han and Lee were initially scheduled to meet last Sunday, but their talks were postponed after Lee tested positive for COVID-19.

The meeting was arranged at Lee's suggestion after he was reelected as chairman of the DPK. Two senior aides, including a policy committee chair and senior spokesperson, from each side were present at the meeting. The meeting, originally planned for 90 minutes, lasted 103 minutes.

"Let's end this political tug-of-war where we are locked in a vicious cycle of the opposition railroading bills, the ruling party filibustering and the president vetoing them. Apart from discussing livelihood-related matters on how to reduce gaps in housing, assets and education, let's adopt a political reform so that lawmakers could renounce their no-arrest privilege," Han said in his opening remarks, which were open to the press, ahead of the meeting.

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, front, chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and Han Dong-hoon, second from right, chairman of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), leave the room after their meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

Lee criticized the government's failure to address economic difficulties and expressed regret over the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's unilateral approach in dealing with medical reforms. The rival parties had staged a war of nerves until Sunday over the government's medical reform initiative and its toll on the country's health care system.

"The government's medical reform initiative and the months-long stalemate over the medical school admissions hike are threatening the lives of many patients," Lee said. "Although I agree on the direction of the medical reforms to strengthen essential health services and regional medical capabilities, the social cost of the Yoon administration's unilateral push for the reform without meaningful dialogue is too high."

Lee also condemned the government for allegedly attempting to remove public installations depicting Dokdo. He referred to those attempting to distort history as "anti-state forces," mocking Yoon's own frequent use of the term.

Recently, several installations introducing Korea's easternmost territory were removed from subway stations and the War Memorial of Korea. The government explained that they were removed temporarily for renewal, but the opposition alleges the move is intentionally aimed at erasing Dokdo from the public consciousness.

The presidential office welcomed the talks between Han and Lee, saying it hopes the meeting will serve as an opportunity to normalize the Assembly.

"The first regular session of the Assembly, scheduled for Monday, should be the first step toward ending political strife and focusing on improving people's livelihoods as lawmakers promised," a senior presidential office official said.