Former President Park Geun-hye Attends Yoon's Inauguration Ceremony... Transition Team Says "Did Not Receive Confirmation of Japan's Kishida Attendance"

Park Joo-sun, Chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, visited the former residence of President Park Geun-hye located in Yuga-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu on the 26th, and delivered a handwritten letter from President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol along with an invitation to the inauguration ceremony to former President Park.

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Former President Park Geun-hye has expressed her intention to attend President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's inauguration ceremony.

On the 27th, Park Joo-sun, the chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, conveyed Park's position, saying, "Yesterday, I visited former President Park Geun-hye's residence and delivered a handwritten letter and an invitation to the inauguration ceremony from President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol."

At the meeting, former President Park reportedly said, "I am grateful that the chairman traveled a long way and that the president-elect personally expressed his invitation," and added, "I think it is appropriate to offer congratulations as the new government begins." In particular, Park Joo-sun stated that she expressed her intention to attend, saying, "Given my current health condition, traveling for more than three hours is burdensome, but I will endure well through exercise and rehabilitation."

Regarding Japanese Prime Minister Kishida's attendance at the inauguration ceremony, Chairman Park said, "We have not yet received confirmation of his attendance." He explained, "According to diplomatic international customs, invitations are usually extended after the host personally conveys the invitation to foreign heads of state and former heads of state. The invitation process has not yet proceeded."

Meanwhile, concerning the controversy over the 'luxurious inauguration ceremony' sparked by the decision to hold the presidential inauguration banquet at the 'Shilla Hotel State Guesthouse,' Chairman Park explained, "The original plan was to hold the foreign guests' banquet at the Blue House State Guesthouse, but since the Blue House will be open to the public on the same day, security restrictions would be imposed from early afternoon, which could diminish the significance of the first day presented to the people. After considering other venues, we made this decision."

However, the exact banquet costs were not disclosed. Chairman Park stated, "The number of attendees has not been finalized, and the menu has not been decided, so it is difficult to confirm the exact cost," and argued, "An additional cost of 500,000 won compared to holding it at the Blue House State Guesthouse is not a waste of taxpayers' money and is a political attack."