Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung began the year 2023 by visiting the graves of former presidents Kim Dae-jung (DJ) and Roh Moo-hyun on January 1. He will travel to Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do on January 2 to attend a luncheon with former president Moon Jae-in. Lee described the current times as “an age where violent and unilateral control is rampant” and criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol government. He concentrated his efforts to gather Democratic Party supporters ahead of his appearance at the Prosecution Service.

On Sunday, Lee held an event to exchange New Year’s greetings at the Democratic Party of Korea office in Yeouido, Seoul, then visited the Seoul National Cemetery and paid his respects before the memorial monument and the grave of former president Kim Dae-jung as his first official activity of the new year. Lee stopped by the memorial center for the victims of the Itaewon crowd crush where he met the victims’ families and attended a New Year celebration at the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center where he met Democratic Party veterans. Lee then traveled to Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. He visited the grave of former president Roh Moo-hyun and paid a visit to former first lady Kwon Yang-sook. He also met Kim Kyoung-soo, the former governor of Gyeongsangnam-do who was recently pardoned.

Lee described the nation’s current situation as a crisis and criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol government’s governance as “violent and unilateral control.” At the Democratic Party’s New Year’s greeting, Lee said, “The situation is challenging enough to say that the economy, the people’s livelihoods, democracy and even peace on the Korean Peninsula are facing crises.” He continued and said, “Instances of creating hope with negotiations and mediation have significantly decreased and it is an age where violent and unilateral control is rampant.” At the Kim Dae-jung Peace Center’s New Year’s celebration, Lee said, “At present, democracy, people’s livelihoods, and peace on the Korean Peninsula are facing crises,” and added, “Only violent control prevails, but we will thoroughly prepare for the new year, when we will restore politics amidst this situation and properly play the role of the Democratic Party.”

On his way to Bongha Village, Lee appeared on a live YouTube video and said, “When you apply a judicial perspective in politics, politics disappears,” and argued, “If one gets rid of political strife as one pleases, that is not politics, but dominance.” He claimed, “Speaking according to one’s nature is the easiest thing to do,” and said, “We’re not a neighborhood gang. Is it good to beat people up and oppress them? Rather, managing one’s surroundings with dignity so that everyone can prosper is real competence.”

An Ho-young, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, conveyed that when Lee met with former first lady Kwon Yang-sook in Bongha Village, she recommended the book, A Fool, Moved Mountains, by former Cheongwadae spokesperson Yoon Tae-young, describing it as “a book on integration.” Lee also met with former governor Kim Kyoung-soo and exchanged New Year’s greetings.

When Lee visited the memorial center for the Itaewon victims, he wrote in the guestbook, “Protecting the lives and safety of the people is the first duty of the state.” He met with the bereaved families and said, “The country failed to do the things that it should naturally do. And that is something that the government should clearly be responsible for.” He further said, “Since they did not secure enough time for the parliamentary inquiry, it should definitely be extended.”

Lee’s first actions in the new year focused on criticizing the Yoon Suk-yeol government and gathering opposition supporters. On Sunday, Lee visited the graves of Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun, former presidents from the Democratic Party, and on January 2, he will pay a visit to former president Moon Jae-in in Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. On Monday, Lee will also hold a meeting of the party’s Supreme Council at the Democratic Party of Korea’s office in Busan and attend a public briefing in Changwon. Lee will visit Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do, the bases of pro-Roh and pro-Moon supporters, following his visit to the heavily Democratic region, Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, at the end of last year.

Lee’s actions appear to have taken into consideration his imminent questioning by prosecutors and the party’s preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Lee has been adjusting his schedules to appear before the prosecutors, after they officially summoned him for questioning in connection to suspicions surrounding donations to the Seongnam Football Club. As Lee’s legal risks increase, more and more voices in his party could urge Lee to reduce his role in the parliamentary elections.