Lee Jae-myung gets to work as DP leader

Politics

Published: 29 Aug. 2022, 16:06 Updated: 29 Aug. 2022, 17:07

Lee Jae-myung gets to work as DP leader

New Democratic Party (DP) Chairman Lee Jae-myung speaks at the party’s first supreme council meeting at the National Assembly in western Seoul Monday, a day after the DP’s national convention elected a new leadership. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

New Democratic Party (DP) chief Lee Jae-myung vowed to cooperate with the Yoon Suk-yeol government while focusing on a message of unity and the need to help people economically.

"In the face of a difficult economic reality," said Lee in the first meeting of the DP's new supreme council at the National Assembly, "we will do our best to prevent a recession and improve people's livelihoods."

He added, "To this end, I once again formally ask President Yoon for an inter-party meeting."

On Sunday evening, Lee was elected the new DP chairman at a national convention, defeating competitor Rep. Park Yong-jin. The convention also selected five supreme council members, a leadership that replaces the emergency steering committee that led the party since its presidential election defeat in March.

Lee, the DP's presidential candidate, was defeated by the People Power Party's (PPP) Yoon by a narrow margin and made a quick rebound by winning a parliamentary seat representing Incheon's Gyeyang-B district in a June 1 by-election.

"I hope for the success of the Yoon Suk-yeol government and the president because success will ultimately guarantee a better life for the people," said Lee Monday. "We will cooperate in areas we have to, even if means we have to take the first steps thorough cooperation."

He called for cooperation with the conservative PPP, saying he would like to "break away" from a pattern of political conflict.

"Should there be political strife between the rival parties in face of such challenges to people's livelihoods?" asked Lee. "I believe the rival parties need to sit together in bipartisan discussions to overcome the crisis in the economy and alleviate the atmosphere of unrest and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula."

He added, "However, we have no choice but to strongly fight against regression and dictatorship that threaten democracy and people's livelihoods."

Earlier Monday morning, Lee visited the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak District, southern Seoul, as his first official activity after taking the leadership of the DP. He was accompanied by the five new supreme council members as he paid respects to former presidents and patriots at the cemetery.

Lee wrote in the guestbook, "I will not forget the noble sacrifices for the nation and the people."

Later in the day, Lee made a trip to Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, to visit former President Moon Jae-in, a gesture of party unity.

President Yoon offered congratulations to Lee on his victory in a statement through his spokesperson late Sunday.

"During difficult times, I look forward to working together to solve various pending issues for the people and related to people's livelihoods," said Yoon, according to a statement by Kim Eun-hye, senior presidential secretary for press affairs.

When asked about his views on cooperation with the DP, Yoon told reporters Monday morning, "I have always said that we should work with the National Assembly, including the opposing party. While there is competition between the rival parties, I think that we must become one for the national interest and people's livelihoods."

Former President Moon Jae-in, right, greets new Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who visited his retirement home in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan, in South Gyeongsang Monday afternoon. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]