The presidential office, the ruling party, and the government met Thursday, seeking to cooperate over economic revitalization and to cement relationships in the new parliamentary term.

Key officials of the Saenuri Party, the Cabinet and Cheong Wa Dae met at Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn’s official residence for the first tripartite gathering since the 20th National Assembly kicked off on May 30.

From the Blue House, the recently appointed presidential Chief of Staff Lee Won-jong participated, accompanied by senior presidential secretaries for policy coordination, political affairs and economic affairs.

Representing the Saenuri were its interim leader Kim Hee-ok, floor leader Rep. Chung Jin-suk, vice floor leader Rep. Kim Do-eup and chief policymaker Rep. Kim Gwang-lim.

This was their first official encounter since the presidential office reshuffled its ranking members including the chief of staff. The ruling party established its incumbent leadership last month.

The key agenda of the meeting was economic revitalization, a push which has gained further momentum recently in the wake of Britain’s decision to exit the European Union and its consequent impact on the global economy.

“Economy is by far the most crucial task,” said the Saenuri Party’s chief Kim, pressing for immediate economic rescue plans.

“As a result of Brexit, the global economy has grown vulnerable, while some of our core industries have come to require restructuring.”

The party chief also stressed that the restructuring program should not remain at a superficial level but should get to the root of the problem.

Presidential Chief of Staff Lee called for unity between the government and ruling party.

“What the people want the most is for the government and the ruling party to join hands and stabilize the economy.

“The presidential office, ruling party and government will work together to process the labor reform and deregulation bills, which failed to pass the previous Assembly,” Lee said.

Saenuri whip Chung, meanwhile, also took time to distance the party from the Blue House ahead of the meeting, namely over criticism of the presidential office lacking communication with the public.

“The government and Cheong Wa Dae should change their way of thought, so as to reinforce communication with the people,” he said. He later said during the meeting that the government and the party should work together as a “dream team.”

Prime Minister Hwang placed focus on pushing for the extra budget plan set to support the restructuring program for ailing industries, especially the distressed shipbuilding sector.

“We have limited time on our hands (to pass the budget bill), but such challenges may be overcome, if we work together for the same goal,” he said.

During the gathering, noneconomic issues were also discussed, such as fine dust pollution, toxic humidifier disinfectant aftermaths, follow-up measures for Sewol ferry victims, and the country’s cash-strapped Nuri child care curriculum, according to officials.

The three-way talks were originally scheduled to be held on June 17, shortly after the new Assembly kicked off, but was called off due to the Saenuri’s internal feuding.

On June 14, the party’s emergency committee decided to reinstate seven controversial defectors who had left the camp in the run-up to the April 13 general election, rekindling the factional divide within the party and widening the gap between the party and the presidential house.

At the heart of the dispute was Rep. Yoo Seong-min, Daegu’s fourth-termer and the party’s former floor leader, known for his deep rift with President Park Geun-hye. His return to his home camp has been considered a yardstick of Saenuri’s willingness to overcome the chronic strife between the pro-Park and the non-Park factions.

Interim committee chief Kim Hee-ok, who had temporarily boycotted party affairs in protest against the reformists’ decision, resumed his position upon Chung’s apology, to lead the party until it elects new leadership in early August.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)