President Lee Jae-myung met with former President Moon Jae-in on Monday and said, "Internal unity is also very important," adding that "we must constantly work to expand our reach and build a structural majority."
Lee made the remarks during his opening statement at a luncheon with Moon held at the Blue House, and then said, "I believe these two things must be pursued in harmony." Lee explained, "Our democratic government has now become the leading force that must take responsibility for the entire nation," adding, "Fundamentally, as we govern, we must represent everyone and conduct politics and administration for everyone."
Lee's remarks drew attention as they came amid growing signs of division within the ruling bloc, tied to the so-called "reconstruction theory" of writer Rhyu Si-min, a pro-government commentator, ahead of the Democratic Party's national convention. Lee's message is interpreted as a call to achieve unity within the ruling bloc and, on that basis, broaden its reach to secure a stable driving force for state affairs.
Lee also highlighted his commitment to succeeding the previous democratic governments. "Beyond Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in, the current people's sovereignty government has now been created, and we are building another layer on the foundation of the achievements of past democratic governments," Lee said. "Naturally, we must nurture the good points, fill in the shortcomings and add new things to continuously create the achievements of the democratic government."
He stressed, "Looking more toward the future, our task and historical mission is to see a democratic government that takes responsibility for this nation and this country reborn, and, on that foundation, to enable the people and the country to enjoy a better future."
Lee also said, "It has been a little over a year since I took power, and during that time, much of the achievements President Moon Jae-in built over five years were damaged. Too many things were broken across diplomacy, security, inter-Korean relations, the economy and culture," adding, "I am focusing on normalizing these." He further remarked, "I have come to think that what President Moon did and what former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Kim Dae-jung created are great achievements that will be judged by history," and added, "I did not feel it well before, but now that so much has been damaged, I feel it. So I am continuing to work hard to restore it."
Moon told Lee, "I hope you will exercise even greater leadership and surely achieve the dream of being 'president for all.'" He also said, "For national integration to move forward, unity within the party is the starting point," adding, "Only when the Democratic Party unites first, and then achieves greater unity with the democratic reform camp and the forces that joined the 'revolution of light,' can we bring the hearts of the people together as one." He stressed, "The only person in the Republic of Korea now who can accomplish the unity of the Democratic Party, greater unity with the democratic reform camp, and moving forward to national integration is President Lee."
