President Yoon Suk Yeol and main opposition Democratic Party(DP) leader Lee Jae-myung made conversation on Tuesday for the first time since Yoon's inauguration at a customary meeting of political leaders before the president's budget speech in parliament. 

In the much-anticipated meeting between the two, who have only had brief contact in public events since Yoon took office last May, the DP chief merely smiled when the president said it was nice to see him after a long time before the meeting was closed to the press. 

Speaking to reporters after Yoon's speech, Lee said he asked for extensive change in state policies or the budget while government ministries take a more hands-on approach, stressing great difficulty faced in terms of public livelihoods and the economy.

Meanwhile, DP lawmakers picketed outside the plenary chamber holding signs urging the administration to prioritize public livelihoods as Yoon entered parliament to give his speech.

While rival political parties agreed last week to refrain from picketing and heckling opponents inside the chamber and during standing committee meetings, the DP claimed that picketing outside the chamber is not in violation.