Sejong: The new leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) has initiated a campaign to address internal factional tensions and foster unity within the party. Kim Min-seok, the newly appointed leader, has intensified efforts to unify the party by honoring influential liberal figures.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Min-seok paid tribute to former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan by visiting his grave in Sejong. He then proceeded to Gyeonggi Province to honor the late Kim Geun-tae, who was a prominent democracy activist and politician. Kim Min-seok expressed his vision for the party, stating, "We will go beyond simply winning a single parliamentary election and lay the groundwork for successive DP administrations with the aim of achieving a golden era of 20 or 30 years."

The leadership transition has surfaced tensions between supporters of President Lee Jae Myung and backers of former DP leader Jung Chung-rae. Jung, who sought another term as DP leader, encountered criticism from pro-Lee members for allegedly prioritizing hard-line supporters over collaboration with the president on critical matters. Kim Min-seok has been actively working to resolve these internal conflicts since assuming office.

Earlier in the week, Kim visited the grave of the late former President Kim Dae-jung and paid respects to late former President Roh Moo-hyun in South Gyeongsang Province. Additionally, he met with former President Moon Jae-in in Yangsan, committing to mend internal divisions. Kim later joined a dinner hosted by President Lee, attended by his former leadership contenders Jung and Song Young-gil.