President Lee on Post Saying 'Stop Harassing Cheong-rae': "We Are Comrades... Do Not Distort"

Regarding his recent dinner meeting with former Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae, President Lee Jae-myung stated today (October 3), "While he was hospitalized, we agreed to meet during a phone call offering words of comfort, so we held the dinner meeting after I returned from attending the UN General Assembly and completing a visit to Mexico."

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on this day, President Lee said, "Former leader Jung said right after the national convention that he would like to meet often," explaining the background of the meeting.

President Lee's remarks came in response to a netizen who commented on the October 1 dinner meeting, saying, "Please stop harassing Cheong-rae. Ganging up on him and beating him down, and then inviting him over to say 'we understand each other' seems too cruel."

Quoting the post, President Lee stated, "Former leader Jung and I are comrades who fought together and overcame an era of darkness and death when even our lives were threatened, as well as the night of insurrection."

He continued, "Former leader Jung is also a person with his own thoughts and judgment," adding, "He was not dragged around by me, nor did I harass him, so I hope there are no misunderstandings or distortions."

Addressing the netizen, he added, "I wonder if it might be better to look at things with a proper perspective."

In response, former leader Jung cited on Facebook a news headline quoting President Lee describing him as a 'comrade who fought together and overcame the night of insurrection,' saying, "Comrades who supported Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, Moon Jae-in, and Lee Jae-myung, and who overcame the night of the December 3 insurrection together.

Let us unite the four presidents and move forward together," adding, "Uniting should be our slogan."

Posting again on Facebook, former leader Jung said, "As announced, we had a good meeting and many constructive discussions (with the president)," adding, "I was not mistreated at all, and with comrade-like sentiment, we shared deep concerns for the country and the party. We survive by staying united. Let us unite."

Previously, President Lee personally called former leader Jung last month when he was hospitalized due to deteriorating health to wish him a recovery, and on October 1 invited him to Cheong Wa Dae for dinner.

During the August 17 national convention, which unfolded as a rivalry between pro-Jung and pro-Lee factions, former leader Jung clashed over policy directions and other issues with party leader Kim Min-seok, who identified himself as a pro-Lee candidate, as well as with President Lee's supporters.

President Lee's dinner meeting with former leader Jung is being evaluated within the party as a move toward internal unity.

(Photo courtesy of Cheong Wa Dae, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.