Former President Lee Myung-bak stressed to People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok, "You must always look to the people when doing politics," adding, "We must unite tightly as one through harmony."
On the morning of the 2nd, party leader Jang visited the Cheonggye Foundation in Seocho-gu, Seoul, to pay a courtesy call on the former president. Chung Hee-yong, People Power Party secretary-general, Park Jun-tae, chief of staff to the party leader, and Park Sung-hoon, chief spokesperson, were also present.
The former president, five months ahead of the local elections, emphasized party unity and youth politics to Jang. The former president said, "It is a very difficult time to be in the opposition," but added, "Even if the party and politics look difficult, the people are having a harder time. You must always look to the people when doing politics."
He went on, "We must give hope to young people," adding, "If we move forward looking to the hopes of the young, I believe the people will extend a warm hand to the opposition." The former president also said, "We must discard personal thoughts and do politics for the country," adding, "We must be conservatives not of the past, but conservatives who are warm and oriented toward a future that is not difficult. If we become reactionary conservatives, it is regression."
Jang replied, "We need unity and solidarity, and at times we need decisive action," adding, "It seems to be a time when the creativity and spirit of challenge you showed as Seoul mayor and president are needed."
He continued, "Conservatives have so far pursued politics that are warm and future-minded, but it seems the people feel it has been lacking," adding, "So that we can become conservatives who are warm and think of the future, and who prepare creative and challenging tasks, I will do my best together with the lawmakers."
After the courtesy call between the former president and Jang, chief spokesperson Park Sung-hoon met with reporters and said, "The former president advised that it would be good for the party to deliver, with sincerity, a message asking young people for help and to show that it is working together with the youth," adding, "There was also a message that to win the local elections, the party must unite tightly as one."
Regarding the party reform plan Jang is preparing, chief spokesperson Park said, "We are considering the timing and format of the announcement that can maximize the effect," adding, "Amid a situation where negative issues originating from the Democratic Party are pouring out—from allegations of ties with the Unification Church to the nomination donation allegations involving Kim Byung-kee and Kang Sun-woo—we are considering when and in what format it would be most effective to explain the party's reform and future vision."