Lee Jae-myung, Lunch with 'Moderate Conservative' Yoon Yeo-jun... Yoon: "Worried About Government... National Leadership Shaken, It's Troubling"

Yoon, a Veteran Politician Active in Both Hannara Party and Gungmin Party
"Because They Are Less Trained in Democracy"
Lee: "I Think Politicians Have Emotional Hostility"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, had lunch with Yoon Yeo-jun, former Minister of Environment who served as a minister during the Kim Young-sam administration. The meeting was arranged at the suggestion of Lee's side to seek advice on overall state affairs. At the meeting, former Minister Yoon said, "It seems that the current government is not receiving much trust, so I think your role as the leader is very important."

On the afternoon of the 30th, Lee and former Minister Yoon met at a Korean restaurant located in Yeouido, Seoul. Lee greeted former Minister Yoon, who arrived first, by bowing 90 degrees and expressed gratitude, saying, "I should visit Namyangju to pay my respects..." He added, "It seems that the wisdom of our elders is truly needed at this time." In response, former Minister Yoon said, "Just because one is old doesn't mean one has wisdom," and added, "People like us are also worried about the country's situation. The situation seems to be getting more complicated, and it is problematic if the leadership guiding the country is so unstable."

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is greeting former Minister of Environment Yoon Yeo-jun at a restaurant in Yeouido on the 30th. Photo by Yonhap News

Lee expressed concern, saying, "The economic situation is worsening, and the international environment is deteriorating, creating a vicious cycle that negatively affects the economy." Former Minister Yoon said, "Livelihood is the foundation of state affairs, and in that regard, it seems the current government is not receiving much trust," adding, "If the highest authority of the government has low credibility, no policy will be effective."

Lee said, "Our ability to act is very limited, so the words of our elders are greatly needed." Former Minister Yoon pointed out, "As the leader of the majority party, your responsibility must be heavy," and added, "It doesn't seem like the president or the ruling party are showing much willingness to cooperate with the opposition." He also said, "It is truly unfortunate that a small country is divided and unable to unite its capabilities."

Lee said, "Politicians should reconcile and meet again even after fighting, but now they really hate each other," adding, "There is emotional hostility." He continued, "Actually, that should not happen; we must be rational," and said, "That is the most frustrating."

Before meeting former Minister Yoon that day, Lee had discussions on state affairs with Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, and Lee Sang-don, honorary professor at Chung-Ang University Law School, last month. This has been analyzed as a move to expand outreach to secure support from the moderate electorate, as well as an effort to overcome judicial risks ahead of the first trial verdict scheduled for November.