(LEAD) Lee to meet ruling party leaders next week

(ATTN: CORRECTIONS the date in quotes in 2nd para)
SEOUL, Jan. 27 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak plans to have a lunch meeting
with leaders of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP) next week to discuss
pending political and legislation issues, an official of the party said Tuesday.
"The meeting between President Lee and GNP leaders, possibly including former
party Chairperson Park Geun-hye, was originally planned for Jan. 30, but has been
rescheduled for Feb. 2," the official told Yonhap on condition of anonymity.
GNP Chairman Park Hee-tae, floor leader Hong Joon-pyo and other ranking party
officials will attend the meeting, the official said.
Lee will ask for cooperation in ratifying some controversial bills, including
those on media reform and a free trade pact with the U.S., as well as in
confirmation hearings for newly designated Cabinet ministers, including financial
ministers and unification ministers.
The main opposition Democratic Party had held a sit-in inside parliament to deter
the GNP from passing the controversial bills. Both parties normalized the
National Assembly last month but handed over the thorny issues to the next
session, scheduled to kick off on Feb. 1.
Park, a former chairwoman of the GNP, will also participate in the luncheon with
the president and is expected to have separate talks with Lee, some party
officials said. Park, Lee's main rival during the party's presidential primary in
2007, has not met with Lee since May last year.
sam@yna.co.kr
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