MB Meets with Kwon Seongdong
"Worried About Korea-U.S. Relations... Prime Minister Han Should Return Quickly"
Former President Lee Myung-bak stated on the 17th to Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, "Minority parties should unite tightly to support President Yoon Seok-yeol so that he can work, but it is truly regrettable that the party is divided."
On the same day, former President Lee met with Floor Leader Kwon at the Lee Myung-bak Foundation (Cheonggye Foundation) in Seocho-gu, Seoul, and after saying this, he added, "Fortunately, it seems somewhat stabilized now that the floor leader has come in."
This is interpreted as referring to the conflicts between President Yoon and former Representative Han Dong-hoon, as well as the pro-Yoon and pro-Han conflicts during the impeachment process. When Floor Leader Kwon said, "The spectrum of thoughts among the affiliated lawmakers is different and broad, so there have been difficulties," former President Lee emphasized, "The current opposition is not an ordinary opposition but also the majority party. To overcome that, the ruling party really needs to gather strength and wisdom."
In a private meeting, Floor Leader Kwon conveyed, "Former President Lee said that in difficult and challenging times, we must devote ourselves to preparing livelihood and economic policies for the people," and "He said that the party should no longer be divided but unite and integrate, and only when everyone comes together with one heart can we overcome this difficult political situation."
He also expressed the view that the prompt return of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, a trade expert, is necessary to respond to the second Trump administration in the United States, which is pushing for universal tariffs. Prime Minister Han served as the chairman of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) support committee during former President Roh Moo-hyun's administration, as well as Prime Minister, ambassador to the U.S. during the Lee Myung-bak administration, and chairman of the Korea International Trade Association during the Park Geun-hye administration.
Floor Leader Kwon explained, "(Former President Lee) said that after President Trump's inauguration, all world leaders are striving to improve relations with the U.S., and in that sense, Korea-U.S. relations are the most important issue," adding, "In our country's case, since the president is acting as a proxy, the U.S. does not recognize him as a dialogue partner, and there are difficulties in establishing relations with the U.S."
He continued, "At times like this, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo must return quickly. Former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung also said that from the perspective of securing national interests rather than party interests, the impeachment against Prime Minister Han should be withdrawn, or the Constitutional Court should make a quick decision so that he can return," he added.
Chief Floor Spokesperson Kim Dae-sik also said, "(Former President Lee) expressed concern, saying that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is a U.S. expert and can do well," and added, "Isn't the counterpart important?"
When asked by reporters whether there was any exchange of opinions on President Yoon's impeachment trial or any discussion about an early presidential election, Chief Floor Spokesperson Kim answered, "Not at all."
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