DPK leader visits ex-president ahead of general election

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and former President Moon Jae-in shake hands after meeting at the former president\'s residence in Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, on Thursday. Former President Moon examines Lee\'s neck wound. Yonhap

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), met with former President Moon Jae-in in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province on February 4. Moon said, "We need to win the upcoming general election to achieve politics of mutual benefit.” Lee responded, "We will melt down divisions and conflicts like a furnace and unite to win the general election."

Lee and the Democratic Party’s leadership visited Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan for a luncheon meeting with Moon. Pointing to Lee's neck, the former president said, "It would have been a lot worse without the collar. The world is getting more violent." The two first had a private meeting for about 30 minutes.

Then Moon held a luncheon with Lee and the party leadership. Referring to Lee's stabbing incident, Moon said, "I think the politics of hate made that happen. I hope that Lee will take this opportunity to lead the politics of win-win," adding, "I think that politics of mutual benefit will only be possible if we can win the general election and lead politics.”

Moon also said, "I think it will be of great importance in changing the country’s politics if the DPK and even friendly third parties can join forces to move toward a win-win politics." A member of the party’s leadership said, "It's interpreted as a statement that gives a boost to the quasi-linked proportional system." Moon reportedly told Lee about his position on the electoral system during their private meeting before the luncheon.

DPK Spokesperson Park Sung-joon said, "Moon told Lee, 'In elections, desperation and eagerness are important. That's why we have to unite.’” Lee reportedly replied, "The DPK will melt down divisions and conflicts like a furnace to unite and exert its full strength to win the general election."

During the luncheon, Moon reportedly said, "It's said that some people divide the party into a pro-Moon group and a pro-Lee group ahead of the general election,” emphasizing that "we are one and unity is the most important thing."

The meeting between Moon and Lee came more than four months after Moon visited Lee in the hospital where he was fasting on September 19 last year.

※This article has undergone review by a professional translator after being translated by an AI translation tool.