President Lee Calls for Ruling Party Unity in Meeting with Former President Moon

SEOUL, July 1 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung called for unity within the ruling Democratic Party (DP) during a meeting with former President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday amid factional tensions ahead of an upcoming national convention to elect a new party leadership.

The lunch meeting between the incumbent and former presidents at Cheong Wa Dae came amid intensifying rivalry among potential candidates for the ruling party leadership that are considered close supporters of the two.

Lee stressed the importance of their party taking power and pursuing inclusive politics for all, emphasizing the need for internal unity in doing so.

"Unity within (the party) is very important. (The party) must be strong from within," Lee said, also emphasizing efforts to expand the party's outreach and promote "structural diversity."

"These two elements should work together harmoniously," added the president. "Our DP government has now become the main force responsible for the entire country. (Our party) should pursue politics and administration that represent and embrace everyone."

The growing rift within the DP has been widely cited as one of the reasons for a sharp decline in Lee's approval ratings in recent polls, with some party politicians criticizing his policies, which they argue are out of step with traditional DP positions.

During the lunch meeting, Moon cited "national unity" as one of the major tasks entrusted to the Lee administration, saying achieving unity within the DP should be the starting point for that goal.

"The DP should unite first," Moon said, adding that progressive liberal forces should build on that to make national unity possible.

"The only person capable of achieving the DP's unity, broader integration with the democratic progressive bloc and national unity is President Lee," the former president said.

The DP is set to hold its national convention in August, with Lee's former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok soon expected to declare his candidacy and run against Rep. Jung Chung-rae, former party leader who stepped down last week to seek reelection.