ROK's President Moon, President-elect Yoon hold first meeting since election

APD NEWS

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Moon Jae-in, president of the Republic of Korea (ROK), held a dinner meeting with President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Monday, 19 days after the presidential election.

Moon shook hands with Yoon as the president-elect arrived at Cheong Wa Dae, and they walked through a garden and exchanged words about flowers and Cheong Wa Dae buildings before entering the meeting room, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Moon promised to cooperate on a budget for Yoon's plan to move the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae to what is now the defense ministry building, Chang Jae-won, Yoon's chief of staff, said after the meeting that lasted nearly three hours.

"President Moon said he believes a determination on the relocation area of the presidential office is the next government's to make and that the current government will carefully look into and cooperate for the budget needed for the exact relocation plan," Chang said at a press briefing.

An originally planned meeting between Moon and Yoon on March 16 was canceled due to their differences on several issues, such as appointments for key positions and whether to pardon imprisoned former President Lee Myung-bak.

Lee was sentenced to a 17-year prison term in 2020 on charges of bribery and embezzlement in connection with his brother's auto parts company DAS.

It was reported by ROK's media that Yoon wants Moon to grant a special pardon to Lee. Chang said Yoon and Moon did not discuss the issue during their dinner meeting.

Yoon, a former prosecutor general and leader of the main conservative opposition People Power Party, won a narrow victory in the ROK's presidential election on March 9 and will take office on May 10.

(CGTN)