Lee Jae-myung Raises 'Innovation and Integration'... "Lee Nak-yeon, We Must Go Together"

"Meeting with Lee Nak-yeon to Strive for the Path of Unity"
Some Response to Calls for Reform as 'Watchful Mode' Ends

Despite the intensifying 'factional conflict' within the party, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who had been holding back his words, brought up the keyword 'innovation and unity.' This is interpreted as a strategic move to embrace former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who has announced the formation of a new party while demanding reform based on Lee Jae-myung's retreat to the second line.

On the afternoon of the 27th, after visiting the Incheon Namdong-gu Incheon Industrial Complex Fire Station, Lee met with reporters and, when asked about his stance on the innovation plan demanded by former leader Lee Nak-yeon, replied, "Former leader Lee Nak-yeon has been saying many things, and I have been continuously contacting and meeting him to try to find a path to unity," adding, "We are doing our best to meet the expectations of the people."

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung visited the Industrial Complex Fire Station in Namdong-gu, Incheon, on the afternoon of the 27th, where he received an explanation about the recent hotel fire and then made remarks.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration is making the lives of our people very difficult, so the role of the opposition party is more important than ever," emphasizing, "Next year's general election is a very important political event and an election that the opposition party must win." In particular, he said, "We must open that path through innovation and unity." This marks a departure from his previous stance of watching silently amid signs of party division due to factional conflicts, showing a certain degree of response to the call for reform under the banner of 'innovation and unity.'

When asked whether he would send a message of unity starting with the appointment of the nomination management committee chairman, Lee explained, "I have not been able to meet (former leader Lee Nak-yeon) recently, but I have called and texted him, and he said he would contact me," adding, "I am waiting." He further expressed his intention to embrace former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who has announced the formation of a new party if the party leadership does not respond to the reform demands, saying, "We must keep all possible channels open, engage in dialogue, and move forward together."

Lee's mention of the keyword 'innovation and unity' is interpreted as a response to growing concerns about signs of division ahead of the general election both inside and outside the party. However, it remains uncertain whether he will comply with the demands for his resignation as party leader and the transition to a 'unified emergency committee,' as requested by former leader Lee Nak-yeon and the reformist group 'Principles and Common Sense.' The former leader and others have set Lee Jae-myung's retreat to the second line as a de facto prerequisite.

Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung met with former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum on the 20th to discuss party issues including nomination conflicts, and is scheduled to meet former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 28th. Amid ongoing speculation about a 'three-prime-minister alliance,' attention is focused on whether meetings with former leader Lee Nak-yeon will continue. The former leader has demanded that Lee Jae-myung make a decision to step back to the second line by the end of the year, aiming for the party's founding D-day in January next year.

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