Covid-19 forces DP leader Lee Jae-myung into quarantine, delays key political meetings

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), entered self-quarantine on Thursday after testing positive for Covid-19. As a result, the meeting between the ruling and opposition party leaders scheduled for Sunday has been postponed.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung speaks during a ceremony commemorating the birth of former President Kim Dae-jung at the Korea Press Center in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), entered self-quarantine on Thursday after testing positive for Covid-19. As a result, the meeting between the ruling and opposition party leaders scheduled for Sunday has been postponed.

The DP said in a public relations office notice on Thursday that "Lee tested positive for Covid-19 and will be entering self-quarantine in accordance with health guidelines," and that "accordingly, the leadership’s visits to Bongha and Yangsan have been postponed."

Lee had planned to visit Bongha Village in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang, to pay tribute to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun. He was also scheduled to visit Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, with the newly elected council members from the Aug. 18 party convention to meet former President Moon Jae-in.

The meeting between Lee and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, has also been postponed

"Lee informed us a little while ago that he had no choice but to postpone our meeting due to Covid-19 symptoms," said Han during his opening remarks at the party council meeting held at the National Assembly building on Thursday morning. Han also wished Lee a speedy recovery.

"We plan to reschedule the leaders' meeting once Lee's symptoms improve," said Kwon Hyuk-ki, the head of the DP’s political planning office.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]