[Political Spotlight] Lee Meets Kim Kyung-su, Hidden Strategy Behind 'Unification' Move

Breaking the Image of a One-Pole System Through Unity
Aiming to Minimize the Spark of Candidate Replacement Theory

The public meeting between Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Kyung-soo, former governor of Gyeongnam Province, is closely related to the political situation where the possibility of an early presidential election is being discussed. Although Lee is leading the opposition presidential candidates in approval ratings, questions remain about his potential for broader appeal. Kim is regarded as the political heir of the pro-Roh (pro-Roh Moo-hyun) and pro-Moon (pro-Moon Jae-in) factions.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Kyung-soo, former governor of Gyeongnam, are meeting at the National Assembly on the 13th. 2025.2.13 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

If a blueprint for harmony and inclusion is established based on the meeting with Kim, it could ease the controversy over the Democratic Party’s ‘one-pole system’ and secure an image of ‘unity.’ In fact, during the 1 hour and 30 minutes meeting with Kim on the 13th, Lee continued to deliver messages of harmony.

Lee said, "All forces that agree to overcome internal strife must unite," and added, "I hope we can join hands on the path for South Korea to stand tall." Kim Tae-seon, chief of staff to Lee and a Democratic Party lawmaker, told reporters, "We talked about expanding the scope of the constitutional protection alliance and the democracy alliance together."

Lee’s initiation of a series of meetings with key figures from the Bi-myeong (anti-Lee Jae-myung) faction is seen by some as a move to minimize the spark of ‘candidate replacement theory’ circulating within the party. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said, "The biggest obstacle in Lee’s presidential race currently is judicial risk," and explained, "Even if the appellate court does not issue a disqualification sentence, if some guilty verdicts come out, this is a Plan B to preemptively suppress candidate replacement theories that could arise from Bi-myeong faction presidential candidates."

Choi Byung-chun, director of the New Growth Economy Research Institute, also analyzed, "Rather than Kim preparing to run as a presidential candidate, he strongly expressed the pro-Moon position to Lee," and added, "If Lee partially accepts the strong demands, the minority faction will have a reason to say they should help the majority faction." In fact, Kim conveyed Bi-myeong faction demands such as expanding online and offline party member participation spaces, securing legitimacy of democratic procedures, and a one-point constitutional amendment, saying, "It is time to embrace those who have been hurt within the party."

While the meeting between the two could serve as an opportunity to expand the current of harmony, it is premature to make assumptions considering the political flow. Lee listened attentively to Kim’s remarks but drew a line on the constitutional amendment demand, saying, "It is time to focus on overcoming internal strife." Director Choi explained, "Rather than fully accepting Kim’s claims, they are showing that both sides have valid points but also differences in opinion, aiming to pursue coalition and alliance."