Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung has engaged in a series of golf meetings with senior lawmakers from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), sources revealed Thursday, aiming to facilitate dialogue with the opposition party.

According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee played a round of golf in June with six-term PPP Representative Joo Ho-young, who serves a constituency in Daegu and has experience as deputy speaker in the Assembly's first half, along with four-term Representative Park Duk-hyum, the current deputy speaker. Multiple officials from both ruling and opposition parties disclosed this information, highlighting Lee's efforts to engage with key figures from the opposition.

The golf outings reportedly included invitations to all speakers and deputy speakers from both halves of the Assembly. Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik participated in the round, while former Speaker Woo Won-shik opted out due to not playing golf, an official stated. The discussions during these meetings are said to have focused on regional issues, particularly the integration of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province.

During a press conference marking his first year in office in June, Lee commented that any further administrative integration beyond the merger between Gwangju and South Jeolla Province would not be feasible before the 2030 local elections. Lee's continued efforts to engage with opposition lawmakers were further evidenced by another golf outing last month, which included a group featuring four-term PPP lawmaker Kim Tae-ho, representing Yangsan in South Gyeongsang Province.

A senior opposition official remarked that these meetings should not be viewed negatively, emphasizing that the president is actively seeking communication with opposition lawmakers. Such gatherings provide valuable opportunities to discuss and address regional issues. The presidential office, however, stated that it could not confirm details of the president's undisclosed schedule.