Tea Meeting at Yeouido Restaurant on the Afternoon of the 28th
Kim: "A 'Joint Government' Is Needed for Regime Change"
Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 28th and said, "There are growing concerns about whether regime change is truly possible with the current Democratic Party," and proposed, "To achieve an overwhelming regime change, we need to go beyond electoral alliances and create a 'joint government.'"
Governor Kim met Lee at a Chinese restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, "Eight years ago during the Candlelight Revolution, we remained within the Democratic Party government, but for the Revolution of Light, it is necessary for us to unite and build together." He added, "For that to happen, the Democratic Party must relinquish its vested interests."
Governor Kim reiterated the necessity of constitutional amendment and emphasized the need for active engagement in discussions. He said, "It is incomprehensible and regrettable that discussions on the constitutional amendment to establish the 7th Republic are not even properly underway," and stressed, "Constitutional amendment is not a 'black hole.' Since it was a promise made together with Leader Lee three years ago, the amendment will be a gateway to creating a new nation, and discussions on shortening the presidential term for power structure reform must be properly conducted."
He also sharply criticized Leader Lee’s recent tax cut policies, including inheritance tax reform. Governor Kim said, "There is extreme 'tax cut populism' in the political sphere right now. It should be a competition of visions, but the reality of being absorbed in tax cut competition is very regrettable," and added, "What is needed now is not tax cuts but an active role of fiscal policy, so we must join forces to freeze tax cuts and increase fiscal spending."
On the afternoon of the 28th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, met at a Chinese restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul. Lee has been continuing his unification efforts through consecutive meetings with prominent non-Lee faction figures. He has already met with former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, former lawmaker Park Yong-jin, and former Presidential Secretary Im Jong-seok. February 28, 2025. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Association
He continued, "Since welfare without tax increases is impossible, it is necessary to actively play a role in preparing new growth engines and opening an era of national responsibility for care in this super-aged society," and suggested, "Gradually introducing a carbon tax and using it for renewable energy production and climate welfare would have a very significant effect."
Governor Kim said, "The Democratic Party is currently facing a crisis of trust," and stated, "Words alone are not enough, and changing words is unacceptable. Efforts must be made to restore trust as a governing party."
In response, Leader Lee said, "Since the political and economic situations are difficult in many ways, it seems Governor Kim is deeply worried about national affairs following his provincial administration," and added, "As fellow members of the Democratic Party, let us discuss what the direction of the country's development should be so that the people can feel reassured."
Meanwhile, Leader Lee has recently been engaging in party unification efforts by holding successive meetings with non-mainstream potential candidates within the party, starting with former Gyeongnam Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo, former lawmaker Park Yong-jin, former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, and former Presidential Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok the day before.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, are meeting at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 28th. 2025.02.28. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
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