Kim Jae-won "Park Geun-hye will have something to say when meeting Yoon"

"Special Relationship Between the Two... Now Reconciliation with History"

Former President Park Geun-hye, who was pardoned at the end of last year, was discharged from Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 24th and is moving to the National Cemetery. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, predicted that the possibility of former President Park Geun-hye refusing to meet President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol is not high.

On the 25th, in an interview with BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal,' Kim said, "As a former president, she will likely have something to say to the president-elect," conveying this view.

He added, "It is very unusual to go directly to the presidential residence," and said, "From the perspective of former President Park's supporters, this might help to soften their feelings. It would be good if the meeting happens soon."

He also said, "There is a special relationship between the two. I personally have experience of being prosecuted and tried when Yoon was the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office," and added, "All these relationships might now be part of making peace with history."

Earlier, on the 24th, President-elect Yoon expressed his intention regarding former President Park, who headed to her residence in Daegu, saying, "If her health permits, I would like to visit and greet her as early as next week." Former President Park, who was pardoned at the end of last year, was discharged from Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, that morning and appeared publicly.

Kim, who joined the farewell line when former President Park was discharged, said, "She seemed to have mostly returned to her usual healthy state. Her expression was very bright," and added, "Watching from the side, it seemed that her health had mostly recovered, so I felt relieved."

Regarding former President Park's statement about "contributing a small strength for the development of the Republic of Korea," he said, "It could be an indication that she plans to engage in various activities in the future," and added, "I think she will gradually put her plans into practice."

However, he also said, "Whether her political plans will materialize concretely, or if it is simply a reflection on not having completed her presidential term and some small future activities, or whether she will return significantly to the political arena, we need to watch a bit longer."