DPK's new leader vows to end partisan politics

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, third from left, the newly elected chairman of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), and former President Moon Jae-in, fourth from left, wave as DPK supporters (not seen in this photo) welcome Lee's courtesy visit to Moon's residence in Yangsan City, South Gyeongsang Province, Monday. Joint Press Corps

Former President Moon voices worry about factional strife within party, calls for unity

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Rep. Lee Jae-myung of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) vowed to become a genuine successor of the liberal party by inheriting the legacy of the three liberal presidents, namely Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in.

"The new leadership will transform the DPK into a whole new party that is able and competent," Lee said on Monday. "Under my leadership, the DPK will bid goodbye to old, partisan politics."

Later in the day, Lee paid a courtesy visit to the home of former President Moon Jae-in in South Gyeongsang Province. During their meeting, Moon expressed worries about the factional strife inside the DPK between supporters of Moon and those of Lee.

Moon stressed the need for unity, according to Rep. Park Sung-joon, the spokesman of the DPK.

Lee and Moon were also on the same page about the performance of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, remaining critical.

"It seems that the Yoon government and the ruling party are not doing a good job. Now is the time for the DPK to show a vision for the nation and regain support from the public. The DPK must be reborn as a party that can be an alternative to the ruling party," Park quoted Moon as saying. Their closed-door meeting continued for an hour.

Several other DPK lawmakers, including floor leader Rep. Park Hong-keun and Rep. Ko Min-jung, accompanied Lee to visit the former president.

Lee started his first day as DPK leader with a visit to Seoul National Cemetery.

Not being able to visit graves that were undergoing repairs after the heavy downpour that hit the capital region earlier this month, he paid his respects at a memorial altar set up in the Memorial Tower and observed a moment of silence to remember the nation's fallen heroes whose bodies were never recovered following the 1950-53 Korean War.

In a guestbook, he wrote "Your sacrifices for the nation and its people will be remembered forever."

He then went to the DPK headquarters to preside over a meeting with the party's Supreme Council members.

Rep. Lee reiterated his willingness to meet President Yoon, adding pressure on Yoon to respond to his repeated calls for an in-person meeting.

"I will do my utmost to improve the livelihoods of the public which were hit hard by inflation, the weakening won and high interest rates. For this, I propose officially, again, a meeting with President Yoon," he said.

His request for a meeting with Yoon came amid accusations that he and his wife allegedly abused a corporate credit card when Lee was governor of Gyeonggi Province. Lee is also implicated in several other corruption cases. Investigations of those cases are currently in progress.

Rep. Lee called for bipartisan efforts to overcome the double whammy of economic hardship driven by inflation and rate hikes and inter-Korean confrontations, stressing that he would prioritize reform measures to improve the livelihoods of the public.

President Yoon stopped short of accepting Lee's offer to meet in person.

"As president, I am willing to work closely with the National Assembly, which includes the opposition parties," he said when asked to comment on Lee's offer to meet to discuss policy. "The ruling and opposition parties compete but if necessary, I think they need to be united for the sake of national interest and people's livelihoods."

Senior presidential secretary for political affairs Lee Jin-bok will pay a visit to the DPK leader on Tuesday. They were scheduled to meet on Monday but their meeting was delayed due to a scheduling conflict.

Meanwhile, members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) reacted cynically to Lee's first day as DPK leader.

Fourth-term lawmaker Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon urged Lee to face investigations to clear up the suspicions surrounding him if he genuinely wants to lead the party.

Kim said Lee's victory in the DPK's leadership contest shows that the main opposition party lacks strong leadership.

"He was elected as party leader thanks to his hardcore supporters, but he should note that many other DPK members turned their backs on him. Considering this, it seems that he has a rough road ahead," Kim wrote on Facebook.

PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong urged the DPK leader to fully cooperate on the bills designed to improve the people's livelihoods. "I congratulate Lee for his winning the party's competition to become its new leader. Regarding his emphasis on the people's livelihoods, I think what's important is his will to live up to his commitment. One action towards bipartisan cooperation to improve the people's livelihoods matters more than a hundred words," he said.