President Lee Jae-myung and former President Moon Jae-in held a luncheon meeting Monday at Sangchunjae in the Blue House, speaking in one voice on intra-party unity, succession of democratic governments, and national integration. However, while Moon presented the cohesion of the democratic reform camp as the starting point for national integration, Lee stressed the need to "continuously broaden the base and create a structural majority," revealing subtle differences in their approaches to integration.
In his opening remarks at the luncheon, Lee said, "Internal unity is also very important. The core must be solid," while also emphasizing a "structural majority." He added, "I believe these two must be harmonized." In other words, he made clear his vision of consolidating internal unity while simultaneously broadening the base to include moderates.
The remark carries considerable significance in that it came as Yoo Si-min, a commentator aligned with the broader ruling bloc, criticized Lee's base-broadening moves with his so-called "reconstruction theory." Lee repeatedly pointed to "outward expansion," saying, "Our democratic government has now become the main force that must take responsibility for the entire nation. Fundamentally, as we govern, we must represent everyone and conduct politics and administration for everyone."
Moon, on the other hand, placed emphasis on the unity of democratic reform forces. "Only when the Democratic Party first unites, and on that foundation achieves greater unity with the democratic reform camp and the forces that took part in the revolution of light, can we bring the hearts of the people together as one," Moon said. He went on to stress, "The only person in the Republic of Korea who can advance the work of Democratic Party unity, the democratic reform camp, and even national integration is President Lee Jae-myung."
He added, "I hope you will exercise greater leadership and surely realize the dream of being everyone's president." Regarding these remarks, Shin Yul, a professor at Myongji University, interpreted them as "conveying a message to President Lee that he should embrace non-mainstream members within the party and prioritize consolidating the camp."
The Blue House warned against over-interpreting the subtle differences between the two current and former presidents. In a briefing immediately after the luncheon, Blue House Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ihk-pyo said, "The two emphasized that democratic camp unity and base expansion are not separate matters but ones that must be pursued simultaneously, and they agreed that inflicting harm through fake news or slurs helps no one." Seo Yong-ju, head of the Mac Institute of Politics and Society, also assessed, "Moon spoke of a stage-by-stage theory, while Lee, through the so-called 'basket strategy,' emphasized a simultaneous strategy—but their orientation toward integration was the same."
The meeting also highlighted the Lee Jae-myung government as a continuation of the Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in governments. Moon said, "It felt good to see that the renewable energy policy for the southwestern seas that we pursued during our government has become the foundation for RE100 industrial complexes and large-scale semiconductor mega-projects." In response, Lee replied, "It's thanks to President Moon nurturing the renewable energy industry," adding, "Without that infrastructure, it would have been difficult to start anew now." Hong said, "President Lee also expressed his intention to achieve a quantum jump for the Republic of Korea by using the foundation the Moon government laid as a springboard."
The two also pledged close cooperation on inter-Korean relations. Moon advised, "We must continue dialogue with patience," while Lee stressed, "Although inter-Korean relations have been damaged to an irreparable extent, we will continue the peaceful coexistence policy that democratic governments have pursued." Hong explained, "Former President Moon replied that he would do everything he could in his own role."
The two also exchanged views on prosecution reform. Hong said, "They agreed that prosecution reform is a very important state task," while also relaying, "Former President Moon urged that, while speedy implementation is important, the government prepare more carefully and meticulously so as not to cause harm to the people or side effects."
The Democratic Party's leadership contenders all expressed agreement. Former leader Jung Chung-rae said, "Outwardly, we must unite where we can unite and form alliances where we can form alliances, broadening the base further," while former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said, "Our party has pursued a 'three-beat grand integration' of unity, solidarity, and expansion." Former leader Song Young-gil added on social media, "I deeply agree with the unity, expansion, and achievements."
Within the ruling bloc, the meeting is seen as likely to have a considerable impact on the leadership competition. A two-term lawmaker from the Seoul metropolitan area predicted, "The messages the presidents exchanged in the closed-door meeting will have been conveyed to pro-Moon lawmakers," adding, "The meeting itself could be a decisive variable in the future moves of the pro-Moon faction."
