Jeong Sye-gyun Urges 'Decision' for Integration... Lee Jae-myung "I Will Do My Best"

Jeong "Responsible for Leading Innovation Competition and Healing Divisions"
'Stop Letting Go at the Cliff Edge' Hyun Emphasizes Resolution
Lee "National Future Depends on General Election... Will Do Our Best"

Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun met with Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, during a period of party division and urged him to lead the party with the spirit of "Seonmin Humin" (putting the people before oneself). He especially emphasized the need for "resolution" by referring to the four-character idiom 'Hyeon-ae Sal-su (懸崖撒手·letting go of the hand holding onto a cliff)'.

On the 28th, Kwon Chil-seung, the chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, told reporters after a luncheon meeting, "Former Prime Minister Chung told Leader Lee that without winning the general election, there is no future for the country or democracy," adding, "He asked him to lead the innovation competition between the two major parties ahead of the election." The luncheon took place for 1 hour and 40 minutes around noon at a restaurant located in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Jeong Sye-kyun, former Prime Minister, are entering a restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 28th to hold a meeting. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Former Prime Minister Chung referred to 'Seonmin Husa,' mentioned recently by Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, and urged Lee Jae-myung to lead the party with the spirit of 'Seonmin Humin.' He expressed concern, saying, "Recently, it seems that centrifugal force is growing stronger than centripetal force within the party," and added, "The responsibility and authority to prevent and manage party division all lie with the party leader, so please take responsibility and manage the situation."

Chief Spokesperson Kwon said, "Former Prime Minister Chung mentioned 'Hyeon-ae Sal-su,' words that Baekbeom (Kim Gu) said to patriot Yun Bong-gil before his heroic act, meaning that sometimes a decisive resolution is necessary," and added, "He said that if such a decision is made, it will bring good results for the party, the country, and the leader." The idiom 'Hyeon-ae Sal-su' literally means to let go of the hand holding onto the cliff edge. Former leader Lee Nak-yeon and the reformist group 'Principles and Common Sense' are demanding a transition to a 'unified emergency committee' based on Lee Jae-myung stepping back to a secondary position. Former Prime Minister Chung’s urging for Lee Jae-myung’s resolution is interpreted as a response to calls for reform within the party. However, he did not specify concrete methods such as resignation from the leadership or forming an emergency committee.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Jeong Sye-kyun, former Prime Minister, are entering a restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 28th to hold a meeting. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Additionally, Chief Spokesperson Kwon conveyed, "Former Prime Minister Chung emphasized the need to devise a strategy that can attract the moderate voter base, and that the success or failure in the metropolitan area is the most critical issue." He continued, "It is a time requiring drastic measures, and regarding candidate nominations, the leader must proceed very smartly and nicely, ensuring that no division occurs during this process."

Chief Spokesperson Kwon explained, "Leader Lee Jae-myung listened carefully to Former Prime Minister Chung’s opinions and agreed that the fate of the Republic of Korea is at stake in this general election," adding, "Regarding Former Prime Minister Chung’s call for unity and innovation, although harmonizing innovation that meets the public’s expectations and party unity is a difficult task, Leader Lee responded that he will do his best as the party leader."

Meanwhile, immediately after the meeting, Former Prime Minister Chung told reporters, "There was no delivery of any demands," and said, "I will fulfill my role as a party member." When asked about 'specific intra-party unification plans ahead of the general election,' Leader Lee Jae-myung left the venue without giving any particular response.

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