Beopryun Sunim "Disappointed by Democratic Party's Silence on Medical Crisis"
Lee Jae-myung Meets Conservative Elders and Economic Figures in Succession
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with Buddhist monk Beopryun. Expanding his political reach not only to senior figures in the conservative camp but also to the economic and religious sectors, he appears to be accelerating his presidential bid.
Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung and Buddhist monk Beopryun are having tea together on the afternoon of the 6th at Sarangjae, the National Assembly in Yeouido. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 6th, Lee met with Beopryun at Sarangjae in the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and held a tea meeting, saying, "It is difficult to make a living, and especially the peace issue is serious, so I wanted to hear your thoughts."
Beopryun said, "It depends on how the U.S. presidential election ends, but the biggest issue is to protect peace on the Korean Peninsula," adding, "If war breaks out, the economic power and culture we have built up for more than half a century will collapse. Please tell Lee to discuss well with the government and absolutely prevent war."
Beopryun also mentioned the medical crisis. He said, "The medical community responded well during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is true that plans to increase medical school quotas are necessary, but it must be resolved through reasonable dialogue," adding, "If this continues, there is a risk that the health and medical sectors will collapse due to a medical crisis." He also emphasized, "It is regrettable that the Democratic Party is almost silent about the conflict between the government and the medical community." Lee responded, "That is not the case, but it may appear that way."
Beopryun pointed out the political responsibility regarding people's livelihoods. He said, "The economy of ordinary people, centered on self-employed businesses, is really difficult," adding, "First, I think it is the government's fault. But the Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the National Assembly, also bears great responsibility." After their opening remarks, Lee and Beopryun switched the tea meeting to a closed session.
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is having a lunch meeting with former Environment Minister Yoon Yeo-jun on the 30th at a restaurant in Yeouido. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Lee has recently been expanding his outreach. There is an interpretation that he is effectively making a presidential bid by meeting senior conservatives regardless of political camp. In September and October, Lee met with Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, Lee Sang-don, former member of the People’s Party, and Yoon Yeo-jun, former Minister of Environment. On the 30th of last month, Lee met Yoon, known as the "strategist of conservatism," at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, saying, "Our capabilities are limited, so we need the advice of elders." Yoon emphasized, "In terms of state affairs being about making a path, both ruling and opposition parties share responsibility and must work together."
Lee is also meeting with figures from the economic sector. On the 4th of this month, he met SK Chairman Chey Tae-won at the 'SK Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit 2024' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, saying, "If you tell me what politics should do, I will strive to implement it faithfully and promptly." Chairman Chey appealed, "There are so many parts where the law is not systematized that even if we try to come up with new ideas, it is legally difficult to realize them."
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