'Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party' Deploys Close Associates Fully... Diplomatic Plans Including Improvement of Korea-Japan Relations

Raise Lee's Control for Party Reform
Appointments of Key Positions Including Kim Young-jin and Kang Hoon-sik
"Expanding Korea-Japan Cooperation Benefits Both Countries
Must Address Opposition to Japan's War-End Declaration"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea began party reform on the 25th by increasing the control of Lee Jae-myung, the party's presidential candidate. After key party officials tendered their resignations the previous day to make room, Lee appointed close aides to key positions such as party secretary-general, initiating the creation of a "Lee Jae-myung Democratic Party."

Senior spokesperson Ko Yong-jin announced on the morning of the 25th at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, that Party Leader Song Young-gil appointed two-term lawmaker Kim Young-jin as secretary-general and two-term lawmaker Kang Hoon-sik as chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Kim, who served as the head of the campaign situation room during the primary, and Kang, who was the political coordination chief in the campaign headquarters, are considered close aides of Lee. Ko explained the background of the secretary-general appointment, saying, "Kim is a planner within the party and is well-versed in parliamentary affairs. He is suitable as secretary-general who must support the campaign headquarters with political insight." Regarding Kang, he said, "He is a strategist who has served as chair of the Strategic Planning Committee and senior spokesperson." Aside from these two, no other appointments were made, so the remaining party officials remain in their current positions.

Current Secretary-General Yoon Kwan-seok said in a radio interview that morning about the reform plan, "The candidate flies with two wings: the campaign headquarters and the party. If the party is an aircraft carrier, the campaign headquarters is a speedboat," adding, "Fundamental reform and innovation must occur within the party for both wings to function well." Co-campaign chairman Woo Won-shik also said, "First, officials step down and let the candidate choose, as a way to organize an efficient campaign headquarters."

Meanwhile, Lee accelerated his policy planning by revealing his Korea-Japan diplomatic vision that day. At the "KorAsia Forum," Lee said, "Sovereignty issues such as historical and territorial disputes must be dealt with firmly," but added, "On the other hand, expanding and strengthening social and economic exchanges and cooperation benefits both countries. We must face the past and acknowledge reality, but move forward in a future-oriented way that helps both nations." Regarding the declaration of the end of the war, he criticized, "Regarding Japan’s political opposition to the declaration, South Korea must point out Japan’s stance from the perspective of protecting national interests."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.