President Park Geun-hye's chief of staff visited the National Assembly on Friday to meet new parliamentary leaders as part of an ongoing effort to enhance cooperation between the government and legislature, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.
It marked the first time that Lee Won-jong visited parliament since he was appointed to lead the presidential secretariat last month.
Lee first met with Assembly speaker Chung Sye-kyun and delivered an orchid from Park to congratulate him on his new position. Lee was accompanied by Kim Jae-won, the new chief presidential secretary for political affairs.
During their talks, Lee called for Chung's support in Park's management of state affairs.
With the opposition bloc holding a majority in the Assembly, Park must secure backing from it to push for her set of initiatives to create jobs and revitalize the economy.
"People from various walks of life have high expectations for a National Assembly speaker who is well-versed in many areas including the government," Lee told Chung.
Welcoming Lee, Chung called on the government to "muster up" its wisdom to better serve the people.
After meeting with Chung, Lee plans to pay a call to Kim Hee-ok, the interim leader of the ruling Saenuri Party, and then Kim Chong-in, the interim leader of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea.
Park is expected to visit the Assembly on Monday to deliver her speech to celebrate the opening of a new legislature that began its four-year term on May 30. (Yonhap)
