Lee Jae-myung to Host Moon Jae-in Amidst Party Strife and Falling Polls

President Lee Jae-myung is set to host former President Moon Jae-in for lunch at the Blue House on July 1, marking their first one-on-one meeting since Lee took office. This move is seen as an attempt to unify the ruling party, which is experiencing deepening factional strife ahead of an August convention.

Lee's approval ratings have recently fallen into the 40% range, with some polls showing a dead heat. The Democratic Party's support has also declined. This meeting comes as the party grapples with internal divisions, particularly between the pro-Lee and pro-Moon factions, who are engaged in sharp verbal exchanges. Some interpret the meeting as an effort to check the pro-Moon faction's perceived closeness to a particular candidate.

The lunch is also viewed as a potential strategy to rally the ruling party's base, which may be disillusioned by recent local election results. The article raises questions about whether this summit can heal internal party wounds and reverse the downward trend in public support. It also touches upon the ruling party leader's refusal to step down despite a majority of public opinion favoring a change, questioning if this confrontational approach can lead to party reform.