Former President Lee Myung Bak met with Chung Je-sik, floor leader of the People’s Power Party, on t..

사진 확대 Chung Je-sik, floor leader of the People’s Power Party, visits the office of the former president of Lee Myung Bak in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 31st and takes a commemorative photo with the former president. [National Assembly photo journalists]

Former President Lee Myung Bak met with Chung Je-sik, floor leader of the People’s Power Party, on the 31st and called for a floor strategy to win public trust, saying, “We must report the people even if we fight.” In closed-door interviews, he reportedly emphasized the victory of the 2028 general election through party unity and expressed concern about the nomination of Kim Seung-won as justice minister.

Chung visited the Yeongpo Building in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and met with former President Lee. Reps. Park Soo-min and Lee Sang-hwi were present for the prevention.

The former president pointed to the two lawmakers and joked, “There are guards on both sides,” and told floor leader Chung, “I took over as floor leader when it was really difficult.”

“Now, I think the role of the floor is greater than that of the party,” he said. “We should cooperate with the large ruling party, but oppose opposing it until the end, and report to the people.”

Former President Lee said, “Isn’t it not possible with numbers now?” and stressed, “It is important for the people to be recognized as ‘what the opposition party is saying now is right and helpful for the country.’

He also mentioned the need to communicate with the media. Former President Lee said, “The media follows only when the right story is strong,” adding, “We should harshly point out that the ruling party’s arguments are not correct for the people, not for the struggle.”

“We shouldn’t say, ‘We shouldn’t try’ just because the number is small,” he said, adding, “If the people are on their back, a minority opposition party can exert its power.”

Regarding the conflict within the party, he said, “From the outside, the party is divided, but it is noisy when it is difficult,” and added, “Nevertheless, we should cooperate while being wise in what we each have to do.”

Floor leader Chung said, “I have never been able to greet the president since I was elected as the floor leader,” adding, “I came to express my gratitude to the party candidates for their willingness to help in the last local elections.”

“I think the party is difficult inside and the Lee Jae Myung government’s violence is worse than any other government,” he said. “I wanted to ask for good words on how the party should move forward in such a difficult time.”

After the meeting, floor leader Chung said, “Former President Lee’s topic in private conversations was the unity of the party,” adding, “He said that winning the 2028 general election through unity is the most important thing.”

Former President Lee reportedly said he was “overall disappointed” with the second cabinet reshuffle carried out the previous day. In particular, he criticized the nomination of Kim Seung-won for justice minister, saying, “Isn’t it see-through?” and asked, “We should prevent it until the end.”

Floor leader Chung presented former President Lee with a orchard with the words “止 of Mt. Gosan Anji” written on it. “It means looking up at the high mountains and going along the main road together,” he said. “The purpose is to learn from the Lee Myung Bak government’s practical policies, such as overcoming the financial crisis early and exporting nuclear power plants to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).”