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Mayor Park asks former competitor Chung to be Seoul`s advisor

Mayor Park asks former competitor Chung to be Seoul`s advisor

Posted June. 20, 2014 05:22,   

한국어

Chung Mong-joon, a former lawmaker of the ruling Saenuri Party who competed in the June 4 local elections for Seoul mayor, met Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon in 15 days after the elections finished. Chung came to see Mayor Park in person only one day after the mayor said in a meeting with Seoul City Hall correspondents, “I called Chung right after the election, but he didn’t answer the phone.”

Chung visited the mayor’s office on the sixth floor of the Seoul City Hall at around 10:25 a.m. Thursday. Park welcomed Chung outside his office and when Chung said with a bright face, “Congratulations,” Park said, “Thank you.” They shook their hands.

Chung said, “You gave me a call, but I do not often accept calls from unidentified numbers. If you send me a text message, I will call you back right away.” Then, Park said, “Let’s create a hotline.”

In the 10-minute meeting, Park proposed Chung to be an advisor to the Seoul metropolitan government. Chung said, “I think you’ll do a good job as the mayor of Seoul, the most important city in this country. I came here as a citizen to ask such favor.” Park said, “You had many pledges and I would like to listen carefully to you. I’d like to invite you as my advisor.” But Chung did not give a clear answer. Park asked again, “Are you taking the offer?” but Chung said, “as a volunteer rather than an advisor…”

During the conversation, Park called Chung, “Mr. Chung, my advisor,” and Chung said, “An advisor sounds pretty old. Since I am older than you, what about calling me political senior?” Park instantly called him, “Chung, my senior.”