▲ President Lee Jae Myung (2nd from R) poses for a photo with Kim Min-seok (2nd from L), the new leader of the ruling Democratic Party, and Reps. Jung Chung-rae (R) and Song Young-gil at Cheong Wa Dae on Aug. 19, 2026, in this photo provided by his office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Jae Myung on Wednesday urged the newly elected leader of the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and two former contenders of the leadership race to unite, calling them all key figures for the administration.

Lee made the call during a dinner at Cheong Wa Dae with newly elected DP Chair Kim Min-seok and former contenders Reps. Jung Chung-rae and Song Young-gil, who competed against Kim in the party's leadership race.

Lee congratulated Kim on his election and offered words of encouragement to the other two while stressing that all of them are important figures for the administration, Hong Ihk-pyo, senior presidential secretary for political affairs, said in a written briefing.

Lee said the ruling party, the government and the presidential office are partners that share a historic mission and called on them to work together to make this year the beginning of an "irreplaceable Republic of Korea," according to Hong.

The meeting came just two days after Monday's national convention, where Kim won 54.08 percent of the vote, compared with Jung's 45.92 percent.

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