'Annoying but Useful Vanguard'... The Intentions of Lee Jae-myung Who Joined Hands with Cho Kuk

Amid differing interpretations regarding the relationship between the Democratic Party of Korea and the Joguk Innovation Party, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, met with Cho Guk, leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, to forge an 'anti-Yoon (anti-Yoon Seok-yeol) alliance.' This also had the effect of further pressuring the Blue House, which is engaged in a tense standoff over the agenda for the summit meeting.

On the evening of the 25th, Lee and Cho held a private dinner meeting at an undisclosed location in Jongno-gu, Seoul. After the meeting, the Democratic Party announced, "We agreed to meet frequently and frankly regardless of the agenda," and explained, "Details regarding joint bills and policies, as well as the order of handling them, will be discussed between the political affairs chiefs of both parties."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Cho Kuk, leader of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, are having a dinner meeting at a location in Seoul on the 25th. [Image provided by the Democratic Party]

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Before the meeting the previous day, Lee told reporters, "There are things to share regarding the future political situation." The issue of the two parties' relationship, which is considered to be "not as good as before," was likely taken into account. With the Joguk Innovation Party securing 12 seats and quickly rising to become the 'third-largest party in the National Assembly,' there has been a strong tendency within and outside the Democratic Party to keep it in check. A representative example is the Democratic Party's near-total rejection of the joint opposition meetings proposed by Cho.

However, by showing the two leaders joining hands again, the theory of 'opposition division' is expected to subside for the time being. From the Democratic Party's perspective, maintaining 'leadership of the opposition bloc' is a priority. A senior Democratic Party lawmaker added, "It is important for the Democratic Party to strongly take the lead now. I believe Lee shares this view."

Looking at the details of the discussions between the two party leaders, Lee achieved the effect of further pressuring the Blue House and the ruling party through this meeting. The Democratic Party proposed agendas such as the livelihood recovery support fund and a special investigation related to the death of a Marine Corps soldier, but the Blue House has not accepted them. In this situation, by discussing 'joint bills' and 'order of handling' with Cho, they revived the opposition alliance. The Democratic Party's special law on the Itaewon disaster, the special investigation law related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee, and the special investigation law on Han Dong-hoon, which the Joguk Innovation Party announced as its 'No. 1 bill,' are all mentioned as 'joint bills' by the two parties.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking about the summit meeting at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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On the morning of the 26th, Lee stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, "I will meet President Yoon Seok-yeol first." Although he took a step toward compromise in coordinating the summit meeting, this is interpreted as an effort to repeatedly pressure the Blue House, which refuses to accept the agendas proposed by the Democratic Party.

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