Lee Jae-myung, left, the new chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, shakes hands with Lee Jin-bok, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, at the National Assembly in Seoul, Aug. 30. Yonhap

President Yoon Suk-yeol spoke by phone with the new leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Tuesday and congratulated him on his election while seeking bipartisan support for public livelihood-related bills, an aide said.

The phone call with DPK Chairman Lee Jae-myung came two days after Lee's election in a national convention and as Lee Jin-bok, the senior presidential secretary for political affairs, delivered congratulatory orchids on Yoon's behalf, according to Kim Eun-hye, senior presidential secretary for public affairs.

"I congratulate you on your election. If there is anything I can do to help you carry out your responsibilities as party chairman, I will do so," Yoon was quoted as saying in the call.

"More than anything, as the economy is in a difficult state, I ask for bipartisan cooperation for legislation on public livelihood matters," he said.

Yoon said he is aware of Lee's visit Monday with former President Moon Jae-in and former first lady Kim Jung-sook, and that he would like to know how they are.

"Once our party is stabilized, I will host a nice occasion with the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties at an early date," he said, apparently referring to the internal turmoil within the ruling People Power Party.

Yoon and Lee competed against each other in the March presidential election before Yoon beat Lee by a margin of 0.73 percentage point. (Yonhap)