President Lee Gathers with Kim, Jung, and Song: "Everyone Is a Key Player, Toward a Stronger One Team"

Kim Minseok Apologizes for "Excessive Expressions" During Convention
Jung Chungrae Calls for "Change of Government by Winning General and Presidential Elections"
Song Younggil Resolves Misunderstandings with Jung, Expresses Regret — "Party and O

On August 19, President Lee Jae-myung invited Kim Min-seok, the newly-elected leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, along with Representatives Jung Cheong-rae and Song Young-gil—who had competed for party leadership—to the Blue House in an effort to mend the conflicts that arose during the party convention. Leader Kim apologized for what he called "excessive expressions" used during the leadership contest, and Representative Song also expressed regret as he resolved misunderstandings with Representative Jung. President Lee described the three as "comrades who have shared both hardship and joy" and called for a "one-team" approach to achieve success in governance.

President Lee Jae-myung is making a toast at the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader and candidate dinner meeting held at Cheong Wa Dae on the 19th. From left: Secretary General Kang Hoon-sik, candidate Song Young-gil, party leader Kim Min-seok, President Lee Jae-myung, floor leader Han Byung-do, candidate Jung Cheong-rae, and Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo. August 19, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News.

Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Ik-pyo said in a written briefing that President Lee hosted a dinner at the Blue House with Leader Kim, Representatives Jung and Song, and floor leader Han Byung-do. The dinner brought together the winner and the two defeated candidates from the recent convention, in order to congratulate the party’s new start and promote unity.

President Lee began by congratulating Leader Kim on his victory and offered words of comfort and encouragement to Representatives Jung and Song, who saw the race through to the end. He stressed, "All three candidates for party leader are comrades who have endured life’s ups and downs together and are key figures in this people-sovereignty government."

Leader Kim reflected on remarks he had made during the party convention, stating, "I apologized for some of the excessive expressions used throughout the process." He proposed, "Let’s come together for party unity and to support the administration’s agenda." By addressing grievances from the contest, Kim signaled his intention to prioritize party integration going forward.

Representative Jung cited last year’s 12·3 Martial Law Crisis as an example, underlining the need for solidarity. He said, "We are comrades and brothers-in-arms who faced the critical moments of the 12·3 Martial Law Rebellion together, and we form a community of destiny with the Lee Jae-myung administration. We must pool our strength to ensure victories in both the general and presidential elections to achieve a return to power."

Representative Song also resolved misunderstandings with Representative Jung, with whom he had clashed during the convention, and expressed his regret over the controversies that arose during the campaign. Song reportedly emphasized the need for coordination between the party and the Blue House on property tax policy. In light of the government's August 13 announcement of housing supply measures centered on the Seoul metropolitan area, and ongoing reviews of subsequent market stabilization initiatives, Song delivered the ruling party’s views on tax policy directly to the president.

President Lee, concluding the dinner, reiterated the importance of solidarity by characterizing the relationship between the party, the administration, and the Blue House as a "community of destiny." He said, "The party, the administration, and the Blue House are fellow partners sharing the burdens of a historic mission," and called for everyone to join forces to make this year the inaugural year of an "irreplaceable Republic of Korea."

The attendees also agreed to do their utmost as a "stronger one team" for the success of the people-sovereignty government. Senior Secretary Hong said, "Everyone agreed to cooperate and communicate even more closely from their respective positions so as to deliver results all citizens can feel."

President Lee Jae-myung is taking a commemorative photo ahead of the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader and candidate dinner meeting held at the Blue House on the 19th. From the left, candidate Song Young-gil, representative Kim Min-seok, President Lee Jae-myung, candidate Jung Chung-rae, Secretary General Kang Hoon-sik, and floor leader Han Byung-do. 2026.8.19 Yonhap News Agency.

The menu for the dinner featured dishes symbolizing harmony. The main course, “Harmony Yukhoe,” was a beef tartare with ginseng and yuzu sauce—a dish that incorporated key ingredients from regions connected to each of the three candidates who had competed at the convention. The beef tartare represented Jongro in Seoul, associated with Leader Kim; the ginseng signified Geumsan in South Chungcheong Province, connected to Representative Jung; and the yuzu came from Goheung in South Jeolla Province, Representative Song's hometown. The inclusion of yuzu, ginseng, and beef was said to reflect President Lee’s wishes for the health and swift recovery of the three, who had gone through an intense contest.

The meal began with pumpkin milk porridge, followed by various Korean pancakes made with cod, beef, and tofu; grilled premium Korean beef with warm vegetables; rice; and freshwater snail soybean paste soup, all served in succession. The formal dinner was arranged chiefly with Korean cuisine in mind. Senior Secretary Hong said, "The event continued in a warm and friendly atmosphere until the end."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.