Kim Han-gyu "Moon summons lawmakers for dinner? Did he anticipate Democratic Party discord?"

Assemblyman Yeo on KBS Radio Appearance
"Reducing the Meaning as if It Were a President Only for Pro-Moon"
Also Mentioned Request for Correction Report to the Press Arbitration Commission

Kim Han-gyu, the floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said regarding reports that former President Moon Jae-in is convening lawmakers from the Blue House to discuss public sentiment measures in the Seoul metropolitan area, "I suspect the article is intended to sow discord within the Democratic Party."

Earlier, a media outlet reported that former President Moon had gathered Democratic Party lawmakers from the Blue House for a dinner at his residence in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, on the 25th, where measures concerning youth and metropolitan public sentiment, considered key battlegrounds for next year's general election, would be discussed.

In response, Spokesperson Kim said, "(The article) contains incorrect facts," adding, "We have filed a request for a correction with the Press Arbitration Commission."

Spokesperson Kim corrected, saying, "The claim that election strategies were discussed at the dinner is completely untrue," and "The only fact is that there was a discussion about going to Yangsan."

He appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' on the morning of the 10th and explained, "(Former) President Moon opened a bookstore in Yangsan, and many people, including Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, visited individually. Since these visits were individual, it was somewhat difficult for former President Moon," adding, "So, he suggested that we go together from now on. Recently, some gathered and went, and those who couldn't go then are planning to go this time."

Former President Moon Jae-in. [Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked by the host whether there is a view that this is a consolidation of the pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) faction ahead of the general election, Spokesperson Kim replied, "I believe the article was written with that logical structure in mind."

He said, "In fact, some people on online communities have raised suspicions that the pro-Moon forces might be bypassing Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, to prepare for the general election," adding, "I suspect the article is intended to sow discord within the party."

He further pointed out, "Former President Moon is not only connected to the pro-Moon faction but, as a former president of the Democratic Party, many within the party still regard him as our president," and "However, when such articles come out, they diminish his meaning and role as if he is only the president of the pro-Moon faction. It also creates the effect of making it seem like the former president is stepping in because the party is not properly preparing for the general election, thus portraying it as a conflict."

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