A congratulatory video from former President Lee Myung-bak to Lee Kang-deok, a People Power Party preliminary candidate for North Gyeongsang Province governor, has recently drawn attention. The video is notable as it is unusual for the former president to record such endorsement messages for specific individuals.
According to the Lee Kang-deok camp on the 22nd, former President Lee said in the video, "Mayor Lee Kang-deok is a junior from my hometown and someone I worked with at the Blue House for two years." He added, "I still remember the passion and ability he demonstrated."
The former president continued, "During his 12-year tenure as Pohang mayor, he transformed my hometown from a steel city into a hub for future industries including secondary batteries, bio, hydrogen, and AI." He said, "I am very proud and recognize his contributions."
"I hope Mayor Lee Kang-deok will continue to show the same passion and ability for his hometown as he embarks on a new journey," he added. "Please send him your strength and encouragement."
On the 15th, candidate Lee appeared on the YouTube channel "Song Guk-geon's Honsul" and recalled, "When former President Lee was Seoul mayor, I was the chief of Namdaemun Police Station, which oversaw Seoul City Hall Plaza." He noted, "I had the opportunity to witness successful city administration up close, including the Cheonggyecheon restoration."
"As someone who served in the Lee Myung-bak administration, I feel proud that former President Lee's political orientation of 'centrist pragmatism' is being reevaluated," candidate Lee said. "The way to repay the great support from the former president is ultimately to win the gubernatorial election."