On April 28, Democratic Party of Korea (DPK)’s presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung said, “Politics is about reality, and improving people’s livelihoods is its most important role,” adding, “Perhaps we could set aside past debates and ideological divisions for now.” As his first official schedule since securing the party nomination, Lee visited the graves of former presidents including Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee, and later visited semiconductor companies, which are moves interpreted as reinforcing his campaign themes of unity and economic growth.

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea’s presidential candidate, offers incense at the grave of former President Park Chung-hee at Seoul National Cemetery on April 28. By reporter Lee Jun-heon

That morning, Lee visited the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, where he paid respects at the graves of former Presidents Syngman Rhee, Park Chung-hee, Kim Dae-jung, and Kim Young-sam. “What the country urgently needs now is national unity,” he said.

Speaking with reporters after the visit, Lee referenced the concept of "gudongjonyi,” which means acknowledging the differences yet pursuing the same point, saying, “Whether it’s unifying the left and right or conservatives and progressives, we may never be the same, but it’s important to recognize our differences while finding shared values.” In his presidential candidacy acceptance speech the previous day, Lee had emphasized that he aims to be “a candidate for all people.”

His visit to the graves of conservative figures such as Syngman Rhee and Park Chung-hee was also seen as an effort to signal a broader outreach beyond traditional party lines. “I, too, have at times been caught up in partisan disputes over the deceased figures,” Lee said. “But perhaps it’s best to leave the evaluation of their legacies to historians and civil society.”

However, he clarified, “I'm not saying, ‘Let's bury them now.’ Their achievements and failures should still be assessed.” While Lee had visited these graves during the previous presidential campaign, he only paid respects at Kim Dae-jung’s grave on New Year’s Day last year.

Lee also made an unscheduled visit to the grave of former POSCO chairman Park Tae-joon, who once served as prime minister under President Kim Dae-jung and led the United Liberal Democrats. Lee explained that DPK lawmaker Kim Min-seok had suggested the visit, describing Park as a symbolic product of the Alliance of DJP and the united government.

A guestbook entry written by Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea’s presidential candidate, is displayed after his visit to Seoul National Cemetery on April 28. By reporter Lee Jun-heon

In the afternoon, Lee visited SK hynix’s Icheon campus in Gyeonggi Province, where he held a roundtable on AI memory semiconductors. “The national economy ultimately relies on corporate activity,” he said. “As politicians responsible for people’s livelihoods, we must devote our full efforts to fostering economic growth.” Earlier, on April 14, Lee had also visited AI semiconductor fabless company FuriosaAI as his first event during the primary race. In a symbolic first step, Lee underscored the importance of AI semiconductors.

His first policy pledge after securing the nomination also centered on semiconductors. In a Facebook post, Lee promised to make Korea “a world-leading semiconductor powerhouse through overwhelming technological dominance,” pledging to enact a special semiconductor law, expand tax incentives, and accelerate the development of the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster. He added that “semiconductors produced and sold domestically would be eligible for up to a 10 percent production tax credit.”

With just over a month left until the presidential election on June 3, Lee is expected to focus on expanding his appeal to centrist and conservative voters. He reportedly plans to prioritize economic-related events.