Park Geun-hye Celebrates Lunar New Year in Detention for Third Year... Receives Special Meals Including Hallabong and Banana Milk

Former President Park Geun-hye Arrives at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Juhyung Lim] Former President Park Geun-hye, who is imprisoned for the 'state affairs manipulation' case, marked the Lunar New Year holiday while in detention.

This is the third Lunar New Year she has spent inside Seoul Detention Center since being incarcerated there in March 2017.

According to the Ministry of Justice Correction Headquarters on the 25th, a 'joint ancestral rite' event is held in correctional facilities nationwide in the morning, where inmates gather to welcome the New Year together.

Inmates receive rice cake soup and fruits with support from correctional committee members and local religious organizations. Additionally, cultural activities such as Yutnori and Jegichagi will be held.

However, it is known that former President Park, who is a detainee awaiting sentencing, cannot participate in the event.

At Seoul Detention Center, where former President Park is held, breakfast includes rice cake soup, salted squid, seasoned dried seaweed, and napa cabbage kimchi. For lunch, special treats such as Hallabong oranges and banana milk are served.

During the holiday period, the Correctional Broadcasting Center will air three special movies in sequence: Detective Returns, Captain Marvel, and Wonder.

Meanwhile, former President Park was hospitalized at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in September last year due to a rotator cuff tear (muscles covering the shoulder joint) and underwent surgery. After rehabilitation treatment, she was discharged in December last year and returned to the detention center.

Since her arrest in March 2017, former President Park has been living in solitary confinement for over four years while undergoing trial.