Kim Meets Lee Myungbak After Park Geunhye, Rallies Conservative Support
MB: "You Must Sincerely Persuade for Unification Until the End"
On May 27, former President Lee Myungbak met with Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and stated, "If Lee Jaemyung, the Democratic Party candidate, is elected, he will become a president who rules the nation, whereas if Kim Moonsoo is elected, he will become a president who manages the nation."
Former President Lee and candidate Kim had lunch together for about an hour at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul on this day.
According to Shin Dongwook, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, former President Lee commented on the possibility of unifying candidacies with Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party's presidential candidate, saying, "I hope you will show the public that you sincerely try to persuade candidate Lee until the end." It was reported that former President Lee mentioned an anecdote from the 2007 presidential election, when he repeatedly visited the home of candidate Lee Hoi-chang to seek his support.
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and former President Lee Myungbak are having a lunch meeting on May 27 at the Kensington Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul. 2025.5.27 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Regarding Kim Moonsoo's first campaign pledge, "A Country Good for Business," former President Lee advised, "It would be better to present more detailed pledges for large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, small business owners, and the self-employed." As a way to prevent companies from relocating overseas, he said, "I hope you will become a president who eliminates administrative regulations and solves labor issues that make the business environment difficult."
He also expressed concerns about international issues. Former President Lee said, "Many people are worried about Korea-U.S. relations after President Trump was elected, and the tariff issue remains unresolved," and advised, "Go to the United States as soon as possible and meet with President Trump."
He added, "Even if candidate Lee Jaemyung presents himself as a 'centrist candidate' or 'pro-American,' in this information society, people in the United States know better than anyone who candidate Lee is. If candidate Kim persuades well, it will be much more effective than candidate Lee becoming president and visiting the United States."
Former President Lee further stated, "Is it right for this era to have a president who rules the nation, or a president who manages the nation?" and added, "I hope you become a good president who can manage the country."
On May 24, candidate Kim visited Park Geunhye, former president, at her residence in Dalseong-gun, Daegu. On this day, former President Park is scheduled to visit the birthplaces of her late father, former President Park Chunghee, and her late mother, Yuk Youngsoo. Since former President Park has rarely made public appearances, her recent outings are seen as a signal for conservative unity. Chief spokesperson Shin explained, "The luncheon with former President Lee Myungbak, former President Park Geunhye's outing, and Lee Nakyon, senior advisor to the New Future Democratic Party, declaring his support, are all part of the process of consolidating public opinion around candidate Kim Moonsoo."
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