"Health Improving... External Activities Soon"
President Yoon Seok-yeol Has Been Low-Profile Since Inauguration Ceremony
Recently, with former President Moon Jae-in's messages and former President Lee Myung-bak's visit to the Cheonan ship heroes' cemetery, former presidents have been engaging in external activities, and former President Park Geun-hye is also expected to meet citizens soon. Attention is focused on whether Park will end her seclusion and begin external activities around the first anniversary of her residence in Dalseong-gun on the 24th.
According to Park's lawyer Yoo Young-ha, Park plans to start external activities in the near future. In an interview with Yeongnam Ilbo on the 22nd, Lawyer Yoo said, "Former President Park will actively engage in external activities soon and communicate with the public," adding, "She plans to have meals at restaurants she occasionally visited in Dalseong-gun and visit traditional markets in Daegu to naturally interact with citizens."
Lawyer Yoo emphasized, "Until now, she has refrained from external activities mainly due to health reasons," and added, "Former President Park sincerely appreciates the citizens of Daegu who warmly welcomed her more than anyone else and wants to meet them as soon as possible."
Regarding Park's health condition, he said, "Since moving to the residence in Dalseong, she has adapted well. There are no significant inconveniences in daily life, and she eats well," adding, "Her condition has improved considerably compared to when she first came to the Dalseong residence." He also added, "Some ill-informed people spread rumors that 'the president has dementia' or 'she cannot walk properly,' but these are completely untrue."
Former President Park Geun-hye is being discharged from Samsung Seoul Hospital in Irwon-dong, Seoul, on the morning of March 24 last year. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Since moving into the residence in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, in March last year, former President Park has shown little external activity. Her last public appearances were visiting the residence of then-President-elect Yoon Seok-youl in April last year and attending the 20th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony of President Yoon Seok-youl at the National Assembly on May 10 of the same year. However, Lawyer Yoo said that although these meetings were not made public, Park has met with family members, aides, ministers, and journalists who worked with her during her presidency.
Despite her long seclusion, former President Park remains a highly influential figure in the TK (Daegu and Gyeongbuk) region. Earlier this month, several candidates at the People Power Party's party convention attended the Daegu-Gyeongbuk joint speech meeting, mentioning former President Park and her father, former President Park Chung-hee, to win public favor.
In the People Power Party's Daegu mayoral primary last April, the so-called 'Paksim (朴心)' emerged as a major variable. Lawyer Yoo Young-ha, who was considered Park's close confidant and the embodiment of Paksim, declared his candidacy for Daegu mayor.
Former President Park unusually expressed public support for Lawyer Yoo. On April 8 last year, through a YouTube video, she stated, "Although I have not achieved all the dreams I wished for, I believe that these unfinished dreams will be fulfilled by candidate Yoo, who is from my hometown, Daegu, on my behalf," expressing her support.
President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and former President Park Geun-hye are shaking hands at former President Park's residence in Yuga-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu on April 12 last year. [Image provided by the Office of the President-elect Spokesperson]
While some predicted a surge for Lawyer Yoo fueled by Paksim, he ultimately fell short, finishing third with 18.62%. Hong Joon-pyo, who won the People Power Party's final nomination for Daegu mayor with 54.95% (adjusted final vote rate of 49.46% after deducting points for current lawmakers and independent candidates), said, "Although Paksim and Yunsim (尹心) were traded, Daegu citizens and party members overwhelmingly chose the future of Daegu for the next 50 years," and expressed his gratitude to citizens and party members.
At the time, there were expectations that former President Park would resume political activities following her endorsement of Lawyer Yoo, but she has continued her seclusion since then.
However, the key to Park's external activities is her health. Lawyer Yoo also noted, "Her health was greatly damaged due to long imprisonment, so she has not fully recovered," adding that she plans to engage in external activities once her health improves. Currently, it is known that former President Park is focusing on recovering her health by doing light exercises within her residence.
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