Ahead of the ruling party's national convention, President Lee Jae-myung and former President Moon Jae-in held a luncheon meeting at Sangchunjae in Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday. The two spoke with one voice on party unity, succession of the democratic government, and national unity, while showing subtle differences on methodology.
Moon presented the cohesion of the democratic reform camp as the starting point for national unity, while Lee drew attention by stressing that "we must continuously expand our reach and build a structural majority."
Lee: "Continuously Expand Reach, Build Structural Majority"
At the bibimbap luncheon meeting that day, Lee emphasized a "structural majority," saying, "Internal unity is also very important. The core must be solid." He added, "I think these two must be harmonized." In other words, he made clear his vision to strengthen internal cohesion while broadening his reach to include the moderate center.
This is seen as significant given that the remarks came as Rhyu Si-min, a commentator in the broader ruling camp, criticized Lee's reach-expansion moves with a so-called "reconstruction theory." Lee repeatedly pointed to "outward expansion," saying, "Our democratic government has now become a major force that must take responsibility for the entire nation. Fundamentally, as we take power, we must represent everyone and conduct politics and administration for everyone."
Moon, on the other hand, put emphasis on the unity of democratic reform forces. Moon said, "Only when the Democratic Party first unites, and on top of that achieves greater unity with the democratic reform camp and the forces that joined the revolution of light, can we bring the people's hearts together as one." He then stressed, "The only person in the Republic of Korea who can carry out the work of moving toward Democratic Party unity, the democratic reform camp, and national unity is President Lee Jae-myung."
He added, "I hope you will demonstrate greater leadership and surely realize the dream of being everyone's president." On these remarks, Shin Yul, a professor at Myongji University, interpreted, "It is read as delivering a message to President Lee that he should embrace the party's non-mainstream faction and prioritize rallying the camp."
Moon: "The One to Unite the People... Only President Lee Jae-myung"
Regarding the subtle differences between the current and former presidents, Cheong Wa Dae warned against over-interpretation. Hong Ik-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, said in a briefing right after the luncheon meeting, "The two stressed that democratic camp unity and reach expansion are not separate matters but 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 for Politics and Society, also assessed, "Moon spoke of a phased approach while Lee stressed a simultaneous strategy through the so-called 'basket strategy,' but their orientation toward unity was the same."
At the meeting that day, the point that the Lee Jae-myung government carries on the legacy of the Kim Dae-jung–Roh Moo-hyun–Moon Jae-in governments was also highlighted. Moon said, "I was pleased to see that the southwestern renewable energy policy pursued during our government has become the foundation for RE100 industrial complexes and large semiconductor mega-projects." In response, Lee reciprocated, "It is thanks to President Moon having nurtured 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 laid by the Moon Jae-in government as a springboard."
On inter-Korean relations, the two also pledged close cooperation. Moon advised, "We must continue dialogue with patience," and Lee stressed, "Inter-Korean relations have been broken to a point beyond recovery, but we will continue the peaceful coexistence policy that democratic governments have pursued." Hong explained, "Moon replied that he would do everything he can in his role."
On Prosecution Reform, Moon Says "No Harm to the People"
The two also exchanged views on prosecution reform. Hong said, "They agreed that prosecution reform is a very important state affairs task," but added, "Moon urged that while speedy implementation is important, the government should prepare more carefully and meticulously so that harm to the people or side effects do not occur."
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 to expand our reach further," while former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said, "Our party has pursued a 'three-beat grand unity' of unity, alliance, and expansion." Former leader Song Young-gil added on social media, "I deeply agree on unity, expansion, and results."
Within the ruling camp, the meeting is viewed as likely to have considerable influence on the party leadership race. A two-term lawmaker from the greater Seoul area predicted, "The messages the presidents exchanged in the closed-door meeting would have been conveyed to pro-Moon lawmakers," adding, "This meeting itself could become a decisive variable in the pro-Moon faction's future moves."
