Lee Jae-myung Meets with Non-Lee Myung-bak Figures Including Kim Kyung-soo in February
Emphasized Need for Constitutional Amendment, but Lee Says "There Is an Appropriate Time"
Calls for Constitutional Amendment from Inside and Outside... Unavoidable Issue if Early Presidential Election Occurs
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, built an image of ‘unity’ last month through sequential meetings with the non-Lee Myung-bak faction. Although he did not express any significant opinion on the ‘constitutional amendment’ issue, which the non-Lee Myung-bak faction unanimously demanded, it is predicted that related remarks will be inevitable in the situation where an early presidential election is expected.
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 the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Starting with former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo on the 13th of last month, Lee filled his February schedule with meetings with the non-Lee Myung-bak faction, including former Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin on the 21st, former presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok on the 27th, and Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon on the 28th. The purpose was to end criticism of the ‘unipolar system’ and broaden his base by embracing the non-Lee Myung-bak faction. During the meeting with former Chief of Staff Im, Lee emphasized giving roles and voices to non-Lee Myung-bak figures, saying, “We must guarantee diversity while not losing the center.”
Although the meetings with the non-Lee Myung-bak faction were generally positive, Lee showed somewhat passive gestures regarding the ‘constitutional amendment’ they demanded. Former lawmaker Park said at the meeting with Lee, “I hope the constitutional amendment becomes a link for national unity,” but Lee drew a line by responding, “There is an appropriate time and phase for discussion.” In response to former Governor Kim’s proposal for a ‘one-point two-step constitutional amendment,’ Lee also replied, “We should focus on overcoming the internal strife.” The one-point two-step constitutional amendment is a method advocated by non-Lee Myung-bak figures who suggest first revising the martial law-related provisions, which were pointed out as problematic during the martial law situation, and then conducting a full constitutional amendment during the 2026 local elections.
However, since the constitutional amendment issue is being raised not only by the non-Lee Myung-bak faction but also within the ruling party, it seems that Lee will not be able to avoid giving specific answers related to the constitutional amendment if an early presidential election unfolds. Former lawmaker Park said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, “When the presidential election phase opens, it will inevitably be a situation where each faction and political candidate must express their thoughts during the process.”
The ruling party has formed an internal special committee on constitutional amendment chaired by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joo Ho-young to take the lead on the constitutional amendment. Additionally, former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon stated in a Facebook post titled “If we do not leave behind a shameful reality and want to bring permanent and complete prosperity and happiness to future generations, the biggest and most urgent task” on the 1st, “If there is no firm promise to achieve the constitutional amendment and step down three years later, the current hostile symbiotic politics will be repeated more harshly.”
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