Kim Young-jin: "Early next week 'Myeong-nak meeting'... We must acknowledge differences and unite"

The meeting between former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon and current Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, which was scheduled for the previous day, was postponed due to a heavy rain warning caused by torrential rain. Kim Young-jin, the Democratic Party's Political Coordination Office chief, announced, "The meeting is roughly scheduled for early next week."

On the 12th, Kim stated on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show', "We plan to meet and roughly schedule it for next week."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (right), is shaking hands with Lee Nak-yeon, the general election campaign committee chairman, at the disbandment ceremony of the campaign committee at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Former leader Lee, who returned to Korea at the end of last month, paid respects at the graves of former Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun and also met with former President Moon Jae-in, but has yet to meet with leader Lee. The private meeting scheduled for the previous day was canceled due to the heavy rain.

One of the reasons cited for the cancellation of the meeting is the conflict among hardline supporters. On the Democratic Party member community 'Blue Wave,' derogatory remarks about former leader Lee were posted, causing controversy. Kim said, "Repeating the same criticisms or accusations against each other does not help the individual, the party, leader Lee, or former leader Lee. This will become clear over time," adding, "Although a small number may continue, it will not expand or intensify."

The pro-Lee Nak-yeon faction points out the 'demonization of Lee Nak-yeon' by the Democratic Party's hardline supporters and demands restoration of trust. Kim said, "The issue of trust is not just between Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon, but primarily about the public's trust in the Democratic Party," adding, "Within that, efforts are needed to raise the party's trust and simultaneously improve the trust between leader Lee and former leader Lee."

He continued, "Both former leader Lee and leader Lee likely agree that the Democratic Party, currently in a very tense relationship with the opposition, must move in a better direction," adding, "Rather than emphasizing differences and creating conflicts, it is more important to acknowledge differences, unite as one, and respond to the People Power Party Yoon Seok-youl government's mismanagement of state affairs."

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