Lee Nak-yeon Returns After 51 Days
Seeks Contrast Effect with Internal Conflict in People Power Party
Ruling Party Unites Around Lee's Rescue Appearance
Appointed Co-Chair of National Vision and Integration Committee
Honam Support Rate, Ruling Party Total Rally
[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Lee Nak-yeon, former leader of the Democratic Party, held a surprise meeting on the 23rd. On the same day, the two agreed to establish a ‘National Vision Integration Committee’ within the party’s election campaign committee and to serve as co-chairmen. They reached a consensus to create a ‘two-top’ system within the committee. This meeting between Candidate Lee and former Leader Lee came 51 days after they last met at the campaign committee launch ceremony earlier last month.
Despite the Democratic Party’s campaign committee’s efforts to reach out, former Leader Lee, who had been laying low for over two months, chose this day to make his comeback. This is interpreted as an attempt to maximize the contrast with the People Power Party, which is experiencing internal strife such as the ‘resignation of the party leader from the campaign committee.’ The move is seen as a timely effort to demonstrate stable governance capabilities through a clear ‘one team’ approach, while consolidating support in the Honam region and boosting stagnant approval ratings that have remained flat for months.
After having lunch with Candidate Lee at a restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, former Leader Lee said at a briefing, “For the victory of the Democratic Party, Candidate Lee Jae-myung and I have agreed to work together,” adding, “We will create a National Vision Integration Committee, which Candidate Lee and I will operate as co-chairmen.” He also said, “Going forward, I may sometimes express opinions that differ slightly from the candidate or the party, and the candidate has agreed to accept that.” Initially, former Leader Lee had been serving as a standing advisor to the campaign committee.
Candidate Lee said, “Respected former Leader Lee has played many roles for the victory of the Democratic Party until now,” and added, “I believe he will now participate directly in the organizations that are critically needed and do his best for the Democratic Party’s 4th democratic government.” It is known that the co-chairmanship of the National Future Vision Integration Committee was proposed by Candidate Lee to former Leader Lee during the lunch meeting. Candidate Lee arrived about seven minutes earlier at the restaurant. Outside the restaurant, about ten supporters of former Leader Lee gathered.
When former Leader Lee arrived, Candidate Lee said, “Thanks to your consideration, I am working hard,” and added, “I have many shortcomings, so I hope you will take good care of me. There are many mountains to overcome, so I hope you will carry me a lot.” In response, former Leader Lee said, “Yes,” and “Let’s talk more comfortably a little later.” He also said, “You’ve been working hard. I’m watching closely.”
The reappearance of former Leader Lee can be seen as the ‘final piece of the puzzle’ for the ruling party’s total rally. Recently, former Leader Lee Hae-chan, former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Chairman Yoo Si-min, and former Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun have successively come out to support Candidate Lee, but former Leader Lee Nak-yeon’s prolonged absence had drawn attention regarding the timing or possibility of his comeback. A second-term Democratic Party lawmaker said, “There was a view that former Leader Lee needed to come out by the Lunar New Year, when presidential election public sentiment begins to solidify, but by making his comeback at the right time, he can play the role of a relief pitcher to break out of the stagnant approval rating box.”
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