Lee Jae-myung Avoids Meeting with Kim Jong-in... "Meeting to Hear Advice" (Summary)

Sharing Awareness of Crisis Situations Including COVID-19
"Seeking Advice on Integrated Government and Political Change"
Lee Expands Outreach Through Consecutive Meetings with Conservative Elders

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the joint meeting of city and provincial party chairpersons held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 7th, delivering a greeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun and Lee Ki-min] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is expanding his outreach by meeting consecutively with conservative figures, including former People Power Party chief Kim Jong-in and former lawmaker Lee Sang-don, his former professor at Chung-Ang University Law School, on the 7th.

On the afternoon of the same day, Lee met with reporters at the Yeouido party headquarters and said regarding his meeting with former Chairman Kim the previous day, "He is someone I have always been very close to, and since it is the New Year, I met him to also seek advice." When asked about the specific details of their conversation, he refrained from elaborating, saying, "It is inappropriate to disclose."

Lee added, "As Chairman Kim Jong-in publicly stated before, he said he would meet me anytime, and I have frequently consulted him, even when he was the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party in the past, by calling him."

Regarding the question about what was discussed over two days with the two senior figures, including former lawmaker Lee Sang-don, his former professor at Chung-Ang University Law School, Lee said, "Both are people I have known very well and often consult with by phone. It would not be appropriate to disclose the detailed contents of our conversations. I can only say that they gave me a lot of helpful advice."

Lee also said, "Shortly after coming out of the meeting with former Chairman Kim yesterday, I was quite taken aback when reporters called me. Since there were people present at the meeting, it would be better to confirm the details with the chairman or the professor’s side. I think it is inappropriate for me to disclose. I ask for your understanding."

Regarding reports that he is scheduled to meet former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-jun on the 8th, Lee explained, "Minister Yoon is a very capable elder, and I have known him for a long time, so I occasionally call and consult with him. That is all I can say."

Kang Hoon-sik, the Democratic Party’s campaign strategy planning committee chairman, said at a press briefing that "The two (Lee and former lawmaker Lee) share an awareness of the serious crises such as COVID-19 and see this as a crossroads for whether South Korea moves forward or falls behind." He added, "Professor Lee said he would not hesitate to offer advice whenever needed."

Kang continued, "When Lee expressed his conviction about a unified cabinet and political reform, Professor Lee said that many promises about a unified government and political reform had been made in the past but were not kept, and urged him to promise to definitely keep them." He also said, "The unification between candidate Yoon and candidate Ahn will not be easy, and he advised to trust the people and move forward steadily."

Lee has been meeting consecutively with conservative elders, including former Chairman Kim Jong-in on the 6th, former lawmaker Lee Sang-don on the 7th, and former Minister Yoon Yeo-jun on the 8th. Kang said, "This election is one that determines the fate of South Korea," adding, "To overcome the crisis, it is urgent to unite public opinion and the people. Candidate Lee plans to meet more people and listen to their opinions to expand his outreach."

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