▲ Former President Lee Myung-bak strolling through Cheonggyecheon with his former staff


Former President Lee Myung-bak (MB) visited Cheonggyecheon in Seoul today (15th) and said of the recent political situation, "It's a difficult time, so we need to gather some strength. We need to make sure the president can do his job."

Former President Lee told reporters today during a visit to Cheonggyecheon with members of the Cheonggyecheon Loving Association (Cheongsamo), a group of Seoul government officials who worked together on the Cheonggyecheon restoration project when he was mayor of Seoul.

When asked by reporters whether the former president had "resumed his public activities and political activities ahead of the general election," he replied, "I am not interested in the general election, and I wish the country well."

Former President Lee revealed the background of his visit to Cheonggyecheon, saying, "I invited the officials who participated in the restoration of Cheonggyecheon to gather every year, so I came thinking about those days."

He said, "This is an urban regeneration, and it has affected many cities and large cities not only in Korea but also around the world, and it has also affected a lot nationwide."

Departing from Cheonggye Square at 10 a.m., the former president and other members of the Cheongsamo will take a five-hour, two-hour walk to the Sindap Iron Bridge in Majang-dong, Seongdong-gu.

About 5 people, including former Special Minister Lee Jae-oh and former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Food in the Lee Myung-bak government, as well as members of Cheongsamo and officials from the Advanced National Solidarity, accompanied former President Lee on his walk in Cheonggyecheon.

The former president responded to requests for handshakes and photographs from citizens gathered at the site.

There were also a lot of YouTubers, and the scene was crowded.

The Cheonggyecheon restoration project is considered one of the major achievements of former President Lee during his tenure as mayor of Seoul.

Former President Lee visited Cheonggyecheon every year after leaving office, but since 8, he has not been able to find Cheonggyecheon as he has repeatedly been detained and released in connection with cases such as embezzlement of Das and bribery of Samsung.

The event is the third public move by the former president, who was pardoned and reinstated in a special New Year's pardon in December last year.

Former President Lee resumed his public activities in March by visiting the graves of the victims of the Cheonan 2 Warriors and the Yeonpyeong Island bombardment provocation at the National Daejeon Memorial Center, and on the 40th of last month, he watched the play "Faust" starring former Minister Yoo In-chon, who served as Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the Lee Myung-bak government.

(Photo=Yonhap News)