Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of the main opposition party in the passage of the 2026 budget bill. The unexpected bipartisan agreement allowed the budget to be approved before the legal deadline, a move that President Lee praised as a surprising development in the National Assembly.

According to Yonhap News Agency, on Tuesday, the National Assembly successfully passed the 727.9 trillion-won (US$498 billion) budget. This was achieved after the ruling Democratic Party and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) reached a last-minute agreement to uphold the government's proposed spending levels. President Lee, speaking at the presidential office, extended his gratitude to the PPP for their cooperation during a special national address marking the one-year anniversary of the Dec. 3 martial law imposition.

In his remarks, President Lee admitted his surprise at the agreement between the parties and emphasized that he had not anticipated such cooperation. He further discussed his efforts to engage in dialogue and compromise with the opposition during a press conference with foreign media, although he acknowledged that the process can be "frustrating" at times.

President Lee highlighted that Tuesday's budget agreement demonstrates potential for further improvement in bipartisan cooperation. He reiterated his commitment to national unity, stating that it remains one of his top priorities moving forward.