여야정, 청와대서 첫 국정상설협의체 회의 열어 경제, 민생 및 현안 논의

The Moon Jae-in administration and South Korea's political parties held a big meeting today, touching on key topics like issues linked to the economy and diplomacy with Pyeongyang.
It's the first of what they hope will be an ongoing discussion.
The goal is to get the country's political forces working together.
Shin Se-min starts us off with the Joint Policy Consultative meeting.
The leaders of the five parties and members of the government gathered at one table to hammer out issues facing the nation,... during Monday's inaugural gathering of the Joint Policy Consultative meeting.
From domestic affairs like the local economy to fast-evolving diplomacy including North Korea,... the leaders put their heads together to find some answers and some areas where they can work together.
On diplomacy,... President Moon and the rival party leaders have agreed to give bipartisan support to lasting peace and ultimate denuclearization on the divided Peninsula,... while agreeing to push for a meeting of the parliaments of both Koreas.
The attendees also talked about that high-profile visit from North Korea,... scheduled initially to take place this year.
The ruling party's floor leader, during a briefing at the parliament quoted President Moon as saying that the administration is continuing to prepare for a visit to Seoul by leader Kim Jong-un under the supposition that he is coming by the year's end.
On domestic issues,... the parties and the government agreed to provide support for small businessses and low-income earners,... while ensuring fair hiring and reconcilation between labor and management.
The joint statement also said that the top office and the rival parties have agreed to move forward with bills on deregulation,... on tackling low birth rates and on protecting the Korean people from crime and drunk driving.
They also agreed to start a discussion on lowering the legal voting age to 18 and other electoral reforms.
And all of that,... as President Moon had stressed,... comes amid the importance of bipartisan cooperation.
"The Korean people expect us to govern together, especially now in hard times for the economy and the people's livelihoods, and with the North Korea situation changing so fast. I hope today's meeting lives up to those expectations."
The goal is to hold the joint consultative meeting once every quarter,... in the interest of joint governance by the ruling and opposition parties and the government… as the president proposed.
Shin Se-min, Arirang News.