President Lee Jae-myung Meets Democratic Party Leadership, Emphasizing "All Three Are Key Players" and Unity

President Lee Jae-myung invited newly elected Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok, along with lawmakers Jung Cheong-rae and Song Young-gil—who competed against Kim in the party's leadership race—to the Blue House for a dinner today (the 19th).

The event was arranged to heal divisions and achieve unity within the ruling bloc, following concerns that fierce factional clashes during the national convention had escalated tensions to the point of a "psychological party split."

Floor Leader Han Byung-do, who served as acting party leader during the convention, also attended the dinner.

According to a written briefing by Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo, President Lee first congratulated Leader Kim on his victory while offering words of comfort and encouragement to lawmakers Jung and Song until the end.

President Lee emphasized that all three figures are comrades who have shared life and death together, as well as responsible key players in the sovereign people's government.

In response, Leader Kim apologized for some excessive remarks made during the convention and proposed, "Let us make joint efforts for party unity and to support state affairs."

Lawmaker Jung also responded, saying, "We are comrades and comrades-in-arms who crossed the critical threshold of the Dec. 3 emergency martial law rebellion together. As a community sharing the same destiny with the Lee Jae-myung administration, we must unite our strength to achieve victory in the general and presidential elections and successfully retain power."

Lawmaker Song, who positioned himself as a critic of Jung during the convention, expressed regret over the controversies that arose, saying, "I want to clear up misunderstandings with comrade Jung Cheong-rae."

In addition, Song voiced opinions that coordination between the party and the presidential office is necessary regarding real estate taxation.

Secretary Hong noted that the participants agreed to do their utmost for the success of the sovereign people's government as a "stronger one-team," and decided to communicate and cooperate more closely in their respective positions to produce tangible results that all citizens can feel.

President Lee urged, "The party, the administration, and the presidential office are a community of destiny sharing the historical mission and partners in state governance. Please join forces to make this year the inaugural year of an 'irreplaceable Republic of Korea.'"

As for the dinner menu, a special dish called "Unity Yukhoe (seasoned raw beef)" was prepared by combining ingredients representing the hometowns of each attendee.

The Blue House explained that Jongno Yukhoe was prepared for Leader Kim, whose hometown is Seoul; ginseng produced in Geumsan, the hometown of Lawmaker Jung; and citron from Goheung, the hometown of Lawmaker Song.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.