Lee Jae-myung "We Must Unite to Overcome Insurrection"... Kim Kyung-soo "Second-Stage Constitutional Amendment Needed" (Comprehensive)

Lee: "Let's Unite Magnanimously"... On Constitutional Amendment, "Now Is the Time to Focus on Overcoming the Rebellion"
Kim: "We Must Overcome the Harms of Fandom Politics... We Should Embrace Those Who Have Been Hurt"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Kyung-soo, former governor of Gyeongnam Province and a figure known as part of the pro-Moon Jae-in faction, met on the 13th to discuss the direction the party should take following the emergency martial law situation.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and former Governor of Gyeongnam Kim Kyung-soo shake hands at the National Assembly on the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

At the meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Lee congratulated Kim on his recent reinstatement to the party and said, "It is necessary for all forces that support the protection of the constitution and overcoming the rebellion to unite. Although the term 'Constitution Protection Grand Coalition' might sound strange, I hope to work together with Kim Kyung-soo to give hope to the people and to help South Korea stand tall again."

Kim responded, "The task of our times is to rebuild the broken democracy, restore democratic and constitutional order, stabilize the chaotic state affairs quickly, and unite the people. To achieve this, we must create a broader and stronger democratic coalition."

Kim emphasized, "Former President Kim Dae-jung even joined hands with forces that tried to kill him to achieve the first regime change. We must embrace and unite all forces that can come together."

Kim also pointed out the harms of fandom politics, saying, "Our party must become more diverse and overcome extremism and exclusionary logic that does not tolerate different voices." He added, "The problem is not fandom itself, but the party system that offers few spaces for members to debate and participate outside of online platforms. An online-centered communication structure inevitably leads to polarization."

He continued, "We need to open various spaces where party members can engage in discussions and deliberations to become true owners of the Democratic Party. I believe that changing the party’s identity or direction must go through democratic discussion and deliberation processes."

In a private one-on-one meeting, Kim also mentioned that "democratic procedures must be followed for the party’s major policies," and Lee replied, "We will gather opinions within the party on major policies and secure democratic procedures and legitimacy," according to Kim Tae-seon, chief of staff to the party leader, and Kim Myung-seop, spokesperson for Kim Kyung-soo.

Kim further urged efforts to reconcile conflicts from the last general election nomination process, saying, "It is time to embrace those who have been hurt emotionally for the sake of party unity." Lee expressed agreement, saying, "Let’s unite magnanimously and protect democracy."

Regarding Kim’s request to secure spaces for party members to participate in discussions both online and offline, Lee responded, "We will do so," according to both sides.

However, there was a difference in views on constitutional amendment. Kim mentioned the need for a step-by-step amendment starting with a one-point amendment, but Lee, while listening, expressed the opinion that "for now, we should focus on overcoming the rebellion," both sides reported.

Earlier, in a media interview, Kim proposed a 'two-step constitutional amendment theory' that, if an early presidential election is held, a one-point amendment reflecting demands that emerged around the martial law situation should be done simultaneously with the election, followed by a full constitutional amendment regarding power structure reform alongside the 2026 local elections.