Hong Jun-pyo’s Bold Request: Restoring Former President Lee Myung-bak’s Honor Amid Political Tensions

Translation result

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo said on the 17th that, during a makgeolli lunch at the Blue House with President Lee Jae-myung, he requested the restoration of former President Lee Myung-bak’s presidential honors and explained that the appeal stemmed from loyalty formed during their shared past.

Hong wrote on Facebook that he asked for the restoration out of the emotional ties and loyalty they developed during their “nangin” days in Washington in 1999.

He added, “I never benefited from Lee Myung-bak during his administration because I was blocked by pro-Lee factions, but I made the request because I am troubled by how politics today is dominated by personal grudges and self-interest. Crude interpretations are rampant, which I attribute to a lack of understanding.”

Hong also said he requested national support for the TK New Airport during the lunch, framing the appeal as part of efforts to promote balanced national development.

According to political sources, the president and Hong met for about 100 minutes. The lunch was arranged after Hong accepted an invitation from the Blue House.

Sources say the president did not give an immediate answer to Hong’s two requests. At Hong’s request, further details of the meeting were not disclosed.

The Blue House characterized the meeting as an expression of commitment to national unity, but political observers offered varying interpretations, with some suggesting Hong could be considered among potential candidates for the next prime minister.