[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Yoo Young-ha, a close aide of former President Park Geun-hye, stated that the team of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol has not been coordinating a specific date regarding their intention to visit Park’s residence in Daegu next week.
On the 25th, Yoo appeared on Channel A News and responded "No" to the question, "President-elect Yoon said he would visit next week; are you coordinating the date?" He explained, "I conveyed that 'the President’s health has not fully recovered yet, and it hasn’t been long since she moved in. So, let’s try to coordinate such a time a little later.'
Accordingly, the timing of President-elect Yoon’s visit to former President Park’s residence is likely to be postponed until next month.
When asked if President-elect Yoon had expressed his intention to invite Park to the presidential inauguration ceremony, Yoo said, "There has been no official invitation to us for the inauguration ceremony, but I heard about it through the media," adding, "We have not officially received any communication on this matter."
Regarding whether former President Park’s statement to her supporters before moving into her residence, saying she would "contribute a small part to the development of the Republic of Korea," signaled a political comeback, Yoo said, "The idea that she is returning to politics is a very baseless speculation. I don’t think that is the case," and added, "I interpret it as her intention to pass on her wisdom and knowledge as a senior statesperson to her juniors so that they can carry it forward."
When asked if she could deliver political messages starting from the local elections on June 1, Yoo said, "I have not heard that the President intends to send political messages," and added, "In my personal opinion, I don’t think the President will express any personal views on the election."
Regarding rumors about Yoo himself running for mayor of Daegu, he said, "I have not ruled out the possibility of going down to Daegu to engage in politics." When asked if former President Park would oppose his candidacy, he replied, "If I run, I don’t think she would oppose it. But the decision is mine to make."
On the purchase cost of the residence in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, Yoo explained, "The purchase price was 2.5 billion won, and I personally borrowed the purchase funds. It is true that I received help from people at the Garoseuro Research Institute (Gaseyeon)." He added, "Some of it will be settled using the royalties from the letter book that the former President published last time."
He continued, "For the remaining amount, I have a repayment plan, which I have shared with the President. Also, since the President has family members, they have helped and I believe they will continue to help in the future."
When asked about former President Park’s first impression upon seeing the house the day before, Yoo said, "After touring the house, she said, ‘The house is better than I thought.’"
Regarding whether she met with family members while hospitalized, Yoo said, "While she was in the hospital room, she met with her younger brother, Chairman Park Ji-man, once or twice, and they communicated frequently by phone," adding, "However, when the President was in detention, neither family members nor other politicians or civilians were allowed to see her. The reason for this will probably be explained by the President someday."
When asked about future plans, Yoo said, "There are none. For now, both the President and I believe that health recovery comes first, and then the President will have things to do."
Yoo emphasized, "The impeachment became an irreversible political event, but the verdict that imposed personal disgrace will be appealed through a long-term retrial to restore her honor," and added, "As time passes, history’s judgment will reveal what was wrong as wrong and what was unjust as unjust."
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