Park Jie-won Recalls Kim Dae-jung's Call for Unity, Hopes for Political Reconciliation

As President Lee Jae-myung and former President Moon Jae-in prepare for a luncheon meeting, a prominent lawmaker has invoked the legacy of the late President Kim Dae-jung, recalling his decisive actions to dismantle factional politics for the greater good of the nation.

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Now, we only have the Democratic Party; where are Donggyodong and pro-Roh groups? We failed to secure the presidency, which is why President Roh Moo-hyun passed away. Therefore, unite and achieve the presidency again.

Park Jie-won, a member of the Democratic Party, shared an anecdote on Facebook about a meeting convened by Kim Dae-jung shortly after the national funeral for former President Roh Moo-hyun. At that gathering, which included Moon Jae-in, Lee Hae-chan, and Park himself, Kim Dae-jung reportedly addressed the political landscape. He questioned the relevance of factions like 'Donggyodong' or 'pro-Roh' groups when the party's primary goal should be securing the presidency, a failure that led to Roh's passing.

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Donggyodong was the biggest contributor to making me president. Now that my term is over, I believe my role and the duty of the Donggyodong faction is to support the new President Roh Moo-hyun. What do you think, Chief of Staff?

Park further recounted an earlier instance in 2002, when Kim Dae-jung, then nearing the end of his term, spoke with Park at Cheongnamdae. Kim Dae-jung acknowledged the 'Donggyodong' faction's crucial role in his election but emphasized his duty to support the incoming President Roh Moo-hyun. When asked for his opinion, Park stated that the president should pave the way for the new leader. Following this, Park announced the dissolution of the 'Donggyodong' faction in a press conference, despite facing protests from members.

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The president is one, so President (Kim) must clear the way for President Roh Moo-hyun.

Reflecting on these past events, Park expressed his hope that the upcoming meeting between President Lee and former President Moon would serve as a catalyst for resolving current political discord. He likened the desired outcome to untangling a complex knot, drawing a parallel to Kim Dae-jung's efforts to foster unity and ensure the continuity of progressive governance. The Blue House indicated that the luncheon menu would feature bibimbap, symbolizing harmony and integration.

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I hope it becomes a luncheon that untangles the tangled threads, recalling DJ.