Former President Park Geun-hye Celebrates 71st Birthday in Hospital After Special Pardon

On the 24th, when the special pardon decision for former President Park Geun-hye was announced, a banner wishing for her speedy recovery was hung in front of Samsung Seoul Hospital in Irwon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, where the former president is hospitalized. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Former President Park Geun-hye, who was specially pardoned at the end of last year, celebrated her 71st birthday on the 2nd while receiving inpatient treatment at Samsung Seoul Hospital. Although it was her first birthday after the special pardon, due to restrictions on visitors amid the COVID-19 situation, former President Park is believed to have spent a "quiet birthday" in her hospital room.

It is known that Park's close aide, lawyer Yoo Young-ha, visited her on that day. Supporters of former President Park, who until last year gathered every birthday in front of the detention center where she was imprisoned, prepared birthday cakes and sang celebratory songs, also gathered near Samsung Seoul Hospital this year and held their own birthday celebration event.

Former President Park was initially expected to be discharged as early as that day according to the medical staff's opinion, but her discharge date was postponed again last month.

She has announced that she will deliver a message to the public at the time of her discharge. With the presidential election scheduled for the 9th of next month, political circles are keenly interested in when and what kind of remarks she will make.