Is Ban I-jaemyeong Quelling the Fire?… I-jaemyeong Meets with Jeong Seyeon and Kim Bugyeom

"For Party Unity"... Lee Jae-myung Pushes Meeting with Former Prime Minister
Lee Jae-myung, Lee Nak-yeon, Kim Boo-kyum Attend 'Kim Dae-jung' Preview Screening

In the context of speculation about an alliance among the 'three prime ministers of the Moon Jae-in administration' (Lee Nak-yeon, Chung Sye-kyun, Kim Boo-kyum), it has been reported that Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is coordinating a meeting schedule with former Prime Ministers Chung Sye-kyun and Kim Boo-kyum. Since Lee has been reserved about Lee Nak-yeon’s moves, attention is focused on Lee’s actions.

Park Sung-joon, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that a meeting between Lee and former Prime Ministers Chung and Kim is being pursued. On the 13th, on SBS Radio’s 'Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show,' Park said, “I called a few lawmakers close to Lee Jae-myung and asked, and they said that anyone can meet for the sake of party unity, and that they are coordinating the schedule.”

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is entering the talent recruitment ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News

However, a meeting between former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon and Lee Jae-myung remains uncertain. Lee Nak-yeon has raised the level of criticism toward the Democratic Party, saying “the party’s immune system has collapsed” and “a political alternative is inevitable,” hinting at the possibility of founding a new party. Recently, in a media interview, he even mentioned the timing of the party’s establishment, saying, “It would be good if we can offer new expectations in the new year.”

Spokesperson Park said that while the possibility of a meeting between the two Lees is open, “every politician has their own political schedule to follow, and it seems that former leader Lee Nak-yeon is walking his own path,” adding, “So, finding common ground does not seem easy.”

Former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon is answering questions from the press after giving a lecture on "Survival Strategy of the Republic of Korea" at Samyook Health College in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News

There is also speculation that a natural meeting among Lee Jae-myung, former leader Lee Nak-yeon, and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum could take place on the 18th, as all three have been invited to the VIP screening of the documentary film 'Gilwi-e Kim Dae-jung' (Kim Dae-jung on the Road).

Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Kyu-baek said on the same day on 'Special KBS 1 Radio Today,' “They are the elders who led our party and all seniors, so if they meet and talk, they might laugh heartily and melt like spring snow,” adding, “That is exactly the great inherent strength of the Democratic Party.”

Regarding the possibility of an 'Lee Nak-yeon new party,' Ahn said, “Lee Nak-yeon is pressing the accelerator, but after some time, he will hit the brakes,” emphasizing, “Eight out of ten parts of what made former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon are the Democratic Party, and Lee Nak-yeon is the Democratic Party.”

Spokesperson Park said, “The spirit of President Kim Dae-jung is the root of the Democratic Party, so watching the documentary could help form a mutual understanding,” but added, “While political meetings can sometimes be simple encounters, meetings in important political processes must also produce results.”

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