Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, is continuing his efforts to unify the party. After greeting four former and current presidents from the democratic camp—late Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, former President Moon Jae-in, and President Lee Jae-myung—he visited the graves of former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan and former Open Our Party Chairman Kim Geun-tae. This move is seen as an attempt to resolve factional conflicts that have intensified during the party's recent convention.
On August 20, Kim visited the grave of Lee Hae-chan at the Eunha River Park in Sejong, stating, "Both Lee and Kim are great figures in the democratic camp and hold a special historical significance for me." He added, "If President Kim is my political mentor, then Prime Minister Lee taught me about elections. He was like a strict yet warm older brother."
Kim emphasized, "I believe that Lee practiced politics that created a large faction and power with the principles of 'putting the party first' and 'serving the party after oneself.'" He noted that Lee played a central role in four governments born from the democratic camp. Notably, Lee's wife, Kim Jeong-ok, served as the campaign chair for Representative Jeong Cheong-rae, who was Kim's competitor during the party convention, indicating Kim's efforts to rally support from Jeong's faction.
Additionally, Kim paid his respects at the grave of Kim Geun-tae in Moran Park, Namyangju, stating, "He was an activist, a revolutionary, and a gentleman," and expressed the need for the party to restore the path of a grand democratic coalition, as exemplified by Kim Geun-tae.
Meanwhile, on the previous day, Kim dined with Representatives Jeong Cheong-rae and Song Young-gil, who competed against him in the party convention, at the Blue House, hosted by President Lee. During the dinner, President Lee emphasized that all three candidates for party leader are comrades who have shared joys and sorrows together and are responsible figures in the government of the people’s sovereignty, describing the party, government, and Blue House as a 'community of destiny' and 'partners in governance.'
Kim also stated at a Supreme Council meeting held in Busan the day before, "You may have felt that we are already speaking in unison for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government, the unity of the party, and victory in the general elections, as we set aside the excitement of the convention. The Democratic Party will remain steadfast and united."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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