On July 1, President Lee Jae-myung and former President Moon Jae-in held a luncheon emphasizing unity, while candidates for leadership positions in the Democratic Party also conveyed a message of integration. With the party convention scheduled for August 17, concerns about factional conflicts have emerged.
Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the meeting between President Lee and former President Moon demonstrated the unity of the democratic forces' history and spirit.
He added, "The unity of the Democratic Party, the mainstay of democratic forces, collaboration among progressive reform forces, and national integration are all valuable for reform and people's livelihoods."
Kim emphasized the need for dignity even when fighting opponents, stating, "What good is it to speak differently among comrades? Respect and restraint have been a tradition throughout the eras of Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung. We must restore this tradition."
He expressed hope that the meeting would serve as a catalyst for creating a "Democratic Party that wins again," ushering in a golden age of democracy.
Jung Cheong-rae, a former leader expected to compete with Kim in the upcoming convention, also shared a post on Facebook titled "You Cannot Cut Roots and Bloom Flowers."
He stated, "We must nurture Lee Jae-myung's history by drawing on the legacies of Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in," and stressed the need for unification among supporters of the four presidents to ensure the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration, victory in the general elections, and the restoration of power.
Jung noted, "We have won through unity and lost through division. We must integrate where we can and form alliances where necessary. We need to broaden our field through integration and solidarity."
He concluded by expressing a sincere wish for the meeting between President Lee and former President Moon to help restore the dignity of a prestigious political party.
In addition to Kim and Jung, lawmakers Song Young-gil and Kim Yong-min are also mentioned as potential candidates for party leadership.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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