"President's Spouse Greeting Unprecedented"
"Yoon Likely Mentioned MB Pardon at Moon-Yoon Meeting"
Jeonjangyeon Leader in Conflict with Lee "Considered for Invitation"
Park Joo-sun, Chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, is holding a press conference on the committee's appointments and current work progress at the briefing room of the Presidential Transition Committee, located in the annex of the Korea Institute of Finance in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Jung-wan] Regarding whether Kim Geon-hee, the spouse of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, will attend the inauguration ceremony, Park Joo-sun, chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee, stated on the 30th that it is appropriate for Mrs. Kim to attend. He also mentioned that former President Park Geun-hye will be invited to the inauguration with the highest honors.
On the same day, Chairman Park said on CBS Radio's 'One Match' program, "Since President-elect Yoon is being inaugurated as president, it is natural for his wife to appear. There is no question about that."
However, regarding whether Mrs. Kim will greet the public at the event, he said, "There is a customary program for the presidential inauguration ceremony, but there has never been a case where the president's spouse comes out to greet the public," adding, "We have not yet considered Mrs. Kim Geon-hee delivering a message or greeting to the public."
Regarding former President Park's attendance, Chairman Park said, "We plan to proceed with the invitation with the highest honors, at least as a courtesy to a former president."
About the method, he explained, "We have not considered the president-elect visiting her personally," and added, "Whether I go or the Presidential Transition Committee arranges it, our idea of the invitation method is to provide the highest honors possible."
Chairman Park expressed hope that if former President Lee Myung-bak is pardoned, all three former presidents will attend the inauguration, saying, "I was not present at the (Moon Jae-in President - Yoon President-elect) meeting, but I think the president-elect probably mentioned whether pardoning former President Lee would be appropriate," and added, "Since President Moon has various considerations, I suppose he asked to leave it to him."
Regarding the possibility of inviting Park Kyung-seok, representative of the National Solidarity for the Elimination of Disability Discrimination, who is currently in conflict with People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok over the recent 'subway commute protest,' he responded, "I understand they are being considered as invitees."
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