Meeting 11 Days After Kim Kyungsoo Encounter
Expected to Discuss Party Unity and Integration
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, will meet with former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum on the 24th.
According to the Democratic Party on the 17th, Lee will have a dinner meeting with former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum on the 24th without any attendants. The location is currently being arranged.
This meeting between Lee and former Prime Minister Kim, who is considered a key potential candidate from the anti-Lee faction (anti-Lee Jae-myung faction), comes 11 days after Lee's meeting with former Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province on the 13th. Previously, Lee had a casual conversation with former Governor Kim for about 90 minutes.
At that meeting, former Governor Kim said, "It is time to embrace those within the party who have been hurt emotionally," and Lee responded, "Let's unite generously and protect democracy."
The reason Lee is increasing contact with key figures from the anti-Lee faction consecutively is analyzed to be an effort to build consensus for uniting progressive forces and factions within the party ahead of the early presidential election.
It is expected that former Prime Minister Kim will discuss ways to achieve party harmony and overcome conflicts during the meeting with Lee. Previously, Kim said, "The mainstream currently responsible for the party must first extend a hand and broaden its embrace."
As part of his unification efforts, Lee is also reportedly coordinating meetings with Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan, who are other presidential candidates from the anti-Lee faction.
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