Ex-presidents Lee and Park campaign for People Power Party, drawing criticism

Former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye have re-entered the political arena, appearing at campaign rallies for the People Power Party in the lead-up to the June 3 local elections. This move, particularly focused on galvanizing conservative support in the closely contested Yeongnam region, has sparked controversy both within and outside the party.

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Candidate Chu is the right person to revitalize Daegu's economy. We worked well together when he served as Minister for Government Policy Coordination, and he did a great job then.

Park Geun-hye campaigned for People Power Party's Daegu mayoral candidate Chu Kyung-ho, praising his capabilities and urging voters to give him their overwhelming support. This was her second visit to Daegu for campaign purposes, following an earlier appearance. She has been actively campaigning across the country, lending significant weight to the party's efforts.

Meanwhile, Lee Myung-bak appeared in Busan to support mayoral candidate Park Hyung-joon, a prominent figure from the pro-Lee faction during his presidency. Lee emphasized that the mayor's capabilities, rather than the president, determine a city's future, predicting growth and increased tourism for Busan under Park's leadership. He has also made other campaign appearances, including a walk with Seoul mayoral candidate Oh Se-hoon.

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Just as Seoul developed when I was mayor, even with an opposition mayor, the future of Busan will be determined by who the mayor is.

Despite the potential to rally the conservative base, some within the People Power Party expressed reservations. A two-term lawmaker from the Yeongnam region questioned the broader impact of the former presidents' involvement, stating, "It might be effective in mobilizing traditional conservative supporters in the Yeongnam region, but it's uncertain whether it can attract centrist voters who decide election outcomes." Another lawmaker voiced concerns that relying on the "wrongful past" could hinder the party's long-term goal of conservative reconstruction.

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It might be effective in mobilizing traditional conservative supporters in the Yeongnam region, but it's uncertain whether it can attract centrist voters who decide election outcomes.

The Democratic Party launched a strong criticism of the former presidents' involvement. Jeong Cheong-rae, a Democratic Party leader, derisively referred to them and President Yoon Suk-yeol's allies as the "prison trio," calling their participation a "regression to the past, a distortion of democracy, and an insult to the people." Jo Seung-rae, the party's secretary-general, echoed this sentiment, questioning whether the public would accept the involvement of presidents who faced imprisonment for corruption and impeachment for state affairs.

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Yoon, Lee, and Park are out and about now.