As the possibility of an early presidential election in May becomes more tangible, the Democratic Party of Korea has effectively entered into a presidential election mode. The pro-Lee Jae-myung (pro-Lee) faction's external organizations are focusing their critical attention, which was previously aimed at the anti-Lee Jae-myung (anti-Lee) faction, on the ruling party side. Meanwhile, the movement to form a 'big tent' opposition coalition preparing for a presidential alliance with other opposition parties is also gaining momentum.
On the afternoon of the 24th, Party Leader Lee will have a dinner meeting at a restaurant in downtown Seoul with former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, who is considered a presidential candidate from the anti-Lee faction. On the 27th, he will meet former Chief of Staff to the President during the Moon Jae-in administration, Lim Jong-seok, and on the 28th, he will meet Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon consecutively. It is also reported that a meeting schedule with former lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan is being coordinated.
Earlier, on the 13th, he met with former Gyeongnam Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo, a prot?g? of the pro-Moon Jae-in (pro-Moon) faction, and on the 21st, with former lawmaker Park Yong-jin, continuing his unification efforts. This is closely related to the increasing possibility of an early presidential election in May, often called the Rose Election.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. 2025.2.24 Photo by Kim Hyun-min
The Democratic Party is accelerating its preparations for the presidential election. On the 23rd, it launched nationwide organizations such as the Youth Committee and the University Student Committee to broaden connections with the younger generation and lead agenda-setting. The 'Meoksanism National Network,' an organization formed by pro-Lee external figures, was also launched. Party Leader Lee, a leading presidential candidate within the party, has embarked on extensive outreach efforts, including communication with religious communities. On the 24th, he will pay visits to Jinwoo, the Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and Sangjin, the Chief Abbot of the Taego Order. In the afternoon, he plans to appear on 'SamproTV,' an economic and stock market YouTube channel with 2.64 million subscribers, to explain his economic views and policies.
The pro-Lee external organizations have redirected their criticism outward to avoid increasing internal tensions and to strengthen a unified front. A representative from the Democratic Innovation Council said, "There was an opinion that internal party debates themselves are not good," adding, "Although there are differences between the pro-Lee and anti-Lee factions on issues such as constitutional amendments, it is time to respond in unity for overcoming internal strife and ensuring national governance stability." It is explained that Leader Lee’s meeting with former Governor Kim sent a signal of opposition unification, marking a turning point even for supporters.
It is also noteworthy that former Governor Kim Kyung-soo and former lawmaker Park Yong-jin have been delivering messages of unity around their meetings with Leader Lee. However, there remains considerable concern that controversies such as Leader Lee’s rightward shift and the constitutional amendment debate could lead to internal fractures within the Democratic Party. If the early presidential election actually materializes, presidential candidates from the anti-Lee faction may also sharpen their political differentiation.
Leader Lee’s camp maintains the position that "this is not the time to discuss constitutional amendments," but the anti-Lee faction holds a different view. Yang Ki-dae, former Democratic Party lawmaker and secretary of the anti-Lee external group 'Choilhoe,' stated on social media on the 23rd, "Leader Lee should put aside political calculations and actively engage in constitutional amendment discussions now for the people and the country." On the other hand, a key figure from the Innovation Council drew a clear line, saying, "(The martial law issue) is not a problem of the constitution itself but a problem caused by not abiding by the constitution."
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