Democratic Party at a Crossroads... Lee Jae-myung and Jeong Sye-gyun Meeting to Mark a Turning Point for 'Unification'

Jeong Holds Consecutive Meetings Every Two Days... Likely to Urge 'Integration'
Time for Decision Nears... Will Lee Nak-yeon Push for New Party?
Lee Says "Integration Must Be Achieved"... Negative on Stepping Back from Second Line

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is set to meet with former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, a key figure in the so-called '3 Prime Ministers Alliance.' With former party leader Lee Nak-yeon, who is quietly working on forming a new party, setting the 'deadline for decision' at the end of the year, their meeting is expected to be a turning point for either unification or division.

According to the Democratic Party on the 28th, Lee will have a luncheon meeting with former Prime Minister Chung at an undisclosed location in Seoul during the day. Having consecutively met with former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum and former leader Lee Nak-yeon, Chung is expected to convey their intentions to Lee Jae-myung and repeatedly urge 'unification.' On the 24th, Chung emphasized the party's efforts for unification and reform during a breakfast meeting with Kim. Two days later, on the 26th, he shared concerns about the Democratic Party's ongoing division with Lee Nak-yeon.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun are having a lunch meeting at a restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 28th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun are having a lunch meeting at a restaurant in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 28th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Since Chung is meeting Lee Jae-myung again after just two days, attention is focused on how he will mediate the differences between the current and former party leaders. Chung is reported to sympathize with the need for reform raised by Lee Nak-yeon and the reformist group 'Principles and Common Sense,' while maintaining the stance that 'division must be prevented.' Within the party, the anti-Lee faction is demanding that Lee Jae-myung step down from his leadership role. As factional conflicts between pro-Lee and anti-Lee groups intensify, they are calling for a transition to a 'unified emergency committee' system. This also conceals conflicts over candidate nominations, including demands for appointing a neutral figure as the head of the nomination committee.

However, the party leadership seems reluctant to accept a transition to an emergency committee. Some within the party have consistently mentioned alternatives such as the '3 Prime Ministers Alliance' or '3 Prime Ministers Joint Election Committee Chairmen,' but the general consensus is that such scenarios are unlikely to materialize.

(From left) Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum

Meanwhile, there is an interpretation that the camp of former leader Lee Nak-yeon, who set the 'time for decision' at the end of the year, has effectively declared a split by bringing up the 'Daejang-dong scandal' again. Nam Pyung-oh, former chief of the Civil Affairs Office at the Prime Minister's Secretariat and a close aide to Lee Nak-yeon, revealed the day before that he was the first to leak the 'special favor allegations in the Daejang-dong development project' to the media. This has brought to light the incident considered by Lee Jae-myung's supporters as the main cause of his presidential election defeat. In fact, Lee Nak-yeon's camp is reportedly continuing practical work with mid-January next year set as the 'founding D-day' for a new party.

On the surface, Lee Jae-myung has expressed willingness for inclusion by mentioning 'innovation and unification.' After finishing his schedule in Incheon the previous day, he told reporters, "Former leader Lee Nak-yeon has been saying many things, and I am also making efforts to continue on the path of unification." This is interpreted as a partial response to calls for reform. However, it remains uncertain whether he will accept demands that are premised on his resignation from the leadership position.