MB Meets Jeong Jeongsik: "Unity Needed to Win General Election... National Assembly Role Trumps Party Now"

On August 31, former President Lee Myung-bak commented on the People Power Party, stating, "The central theme has always been unity. Achieving victory in the 2028 general elections through unity is the most important goal." He added, "At this moment, I believe the role within the National Assembly rather than that of the party itself is more significant."

Jeong Jeong-sik, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, visited the office of former President Lee Myung-bak in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the 31st and greeted the former president. On the right is Representative Lee Sang-hwi. August 31, 2026 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

That afternoon, at the Cheonggye Foundation office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, former President Lee met with Floor Leader Jeong Jeong-sik. According to Floor Leader Jeong, Lee remarked, "People say from the outside that the party is divided. It is always noisy during difficult times, but even so, what must be done should be carried out wisely and in cooperation."

On this day, Floor Leader Jeong presented former President Lee with an orchid inscribed with a line from the Book of Songs, "Looking up to towering mountains, walking along the grand path (高山仰止 景行行止)." He stated, "The party is facing internal difficulties, and the tyranny of the Lee Jae-myung administration is more severe than any previous administration. I visited today to seek your wisdom on how the party should proceed during these challenging times."

Former President Lee said, "The opposition should cooperate with the ruling party where necessary, but firmly oppose what must be opposed. Everything should be done with the people in mind." He emphasized, "Even if we do not accept the demands of the ruling party, it is important that the people recognize, 'The opposition's position is correct and beneficial for the country.'"

He also added, "Our small numbers should not lead to the notion of weakness or despair. We need to have the public on our side. Rather than struggle for struggle's sake, it is more important to boldly point out and appeal to the public when the ruling party’s claims are wrong. Even as a minority, we can still wield influence if we act for the people."

After the closed-door meeting, Floor Leader Jeong spoke to reporters regarding Lee's remark that the National Assembly’s role is greater than the party’s, stating, "This means that the current struggle within the National Assembly is especially important. He urged us to confront the Lee Jae-myung administration vigorously in the legislature, with the people as our focus."

Commenting on the nomination of Kim Seung-won, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, as Minister of Justice, Floor Leader Jeong relayed, "(Former President Lee) conveyed that the intention behind this move is all too obvious and stressed the need to block it to the very end."

Regarding the relationship between Lee’s emphasis on 'the people' and the party membership-centered direction advocated by Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk, Floor Leader Jeong said, "There is no real difference between a party centered on its members and one centered on the people," adding, "The party leader’s goal is also a people-centered party and politics that looks to the people, so please understand it in that context."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.