Condolence Visit to Itaewon Tragedy Victims' Memorial
Attendance at Kim Dae-jung Foundation New Year Ceremony
"Finding a New Path Is the Way Forward for the Democratic Party"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] On the 1st, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Kim Dae-jung Foundation New Year's greeting ceremony and stated, "Politics has actually disappeared," adding, "Only violent domination is rampant, but within that, we will thoroughly prepare for a new year to restore politics and properly fulfill the role of the Democratic Party."
At the New Year's greeting ceremony, Lee said, "I think that a life that never forgets the merchant's sense of reality while constantly pursuing the ideals of a scholar was the most political and the most desirable form of politics," and added, "Creating opportunities amid crises, continuously presenting hope to the people, and finding the path politics should take, a new path, is the way we must go."
Earlier, at the New Year's meeting held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee said, "Unfortunately, the act of creating hope through compromise and adjustment is disappearing," and "It is an era where violent unilateral domination is rampant, but still, the Democratic Party must create a new path of hope together with the people."
On the morning of January 1, the first day of the Year of the Black Rabbit 2023, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Victims' Citizen Memorial Altar set up at Itaewon Plaza in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to pay his respects. 2023.1.1 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers [Image source=Yonhap News]
Lee appears to have criticized the Yoon Seok-youl administration amid the prosecution's all-out investigation into his past activities and recent investigations related to policies during the Moon Jae-in government.
Lee emphasized, "The economy, people's livelihood, democracy, and peace on the Korean Peninsula are all in difficult situations that can be called crises, but politics is about creating new paths and new hope," adding, "Together with the people and party comrades, I will create new paths and hope with a new mindset in the new year."
After the New Year's meeting, the Democratic Party leadership moved to the National Cemetery to pay respects at the tomb of former President Kim Dae-jung. Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won, who recently rejoined the party, was also present. They then paid respects at the joint memorial altar for the victims of the Itaewon tragedy set up at Itaewon Plaza.
In the afternoon, Lee visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, to pay respects at the tomb of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, followed by a visit to Roh's widow, Kwon Yang-sook.
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