Lee Jae-myung "We Must Unite for Normalization"... Im Jong-seok "Delivering Honest Opinions Outside Yeouido"

Lee Continues Efforts Toward Opposition Unity

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met with former Chief of Staff to the President Im Jong-seok, who served during the Moon Jae-in administration, on the 27th and said, "I think everyone should join forces to create a normal and common-sense world."

On the same day, Lee held a luncheon meeting with former Chief Im at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, and stated, "(Currently) it is a phase where normality and abnormality are confronting each other."

He pointed out, "Our world must maintain basic principles and order. That is the value of conservatism," adding, "However, as ignoring the fundamental constitutional order, denying the rule of law, and engaging in destructive riotous acts have become commonplace, many people feel very uneasy."

He continued, "The public and those who support our party are most worried about that point," and said, "There is high expectation that our Chief can play a significant role in addressing that concern (to alleviate the anxiety)."

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung (right) is having a lunch meeting with former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul on February 27, 2025. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group, Yonhap News Agency

In response, former Chief Im emphasized, "We must achieve a regime change for stability to be restored and impeachment to be completed," adding, "I believe the country will only be normalized when a complete regime change that gathers the people's hearts is realized."

He continued, "From now on, I especially want to offer more harsh criticism than praise to Leader Lee, and I intend to convey unfiltered voices that are not well heard in Yeouido," and said, "I plan to support and encourage those who are brave enough to compete with Leader Lee within the Democratic Party's structure and strive to surpass him."

He also said, "Many people seem to be worried that the endless confrontation continues in the current two-party presidential system. While there are clearly tasks that need focus now, please work to enable the Democratic Party to take a stance on this issue."

Additionally, "I have been thinking a lot about whether coalition politics based on greater diversity is needed, so I hope you will listen to this once," and "I used to think local decentralization and balanced development were pillars of the Democratic Party, but at some point, I began to feel that the party's philosophy and will have weakened. I ask Leader Lee to firmly reestablish these regardless of the election schedule."

As the possibility of an early presidential election grows, Leader Lee appears to be continuing efforts toward unification within the opposition.

Recently, he has met consecutively with non-Lee faction figures such as former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, former Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin, and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, and plans to meet Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon on the 28th. A meeting with former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Du-kwan is also reportedly being arranged.