Former President Park Geun-hye visited Donghwasa Temple on Palgongsan Mountain on the 11th, marking her first public outing in about a year since moving into her residence in Dalseong-gun, Daegu last year.
At around 10:30 a.m. that day, Park arrived at Donghwasa Temple in Dong-gu, Daegu, and received a bouquet from Venerable Uihyeon in front of the Seolbeopjeon Hall.
Former President Park Geun-hye is visiting Donghwasa Temple in Palgongsan, Daegu, on the morning of the 11th, touring the temple grounds. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Former President Park was seen wearing a white top and beige pants with her hair tied up in a bun, accessorized with a pearl necklace. She took a walk around the temple grounds and then proceeded to the Unification Great Buddha Hall. After joining her palms in prayer and offering incense, she received blessings and well-wishes from the venerable monk for about 20 minutes.
In front of the Unification Great Buddha, around 100 supporters chanted Park’s name and prayed for her health. Park responded with a bright expression, raising her hand in greeting and shaking hands with some supporters. Afterwards, she moved to the temple food experience center to have tea and chat with the head monk, Neungjong.
As this was her first public schedule, many reporters gathered on site, but the former president did not make any particular remarks. She used a vehicle when moving within the temple grounds, and when walking on stairs, she stumbled several times. When people nearby asked if she was okay, Park briefly replied, "If I don’t watch my steps carefully, I tend to fall."
Former President Park Geun-hye is greeting citizens in front of the Unification Great Buddha at Donghwasa Temple in Dong-gu, Daegu on the morning of the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
It is known that former President Park also had lunch with Donghwasa officials. Yoo Young-ha, a close aide who accompanied Park on the visit, said, "During the former president’s last birthday, the venerable monk of Donghwasa sent congratulatory orchids and requested a visit if her health permitted. The president accepted and came," cautioning against political interpretations.
He added, "Her health has improved considerably compared to a year ago," and noted, "She walks easily on flat ground but still finds it uncomfortable to walk uphill or downhill."
Former President Park has been in seclusion since moving into her residence in Ssanggyeri, Yuga-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu on March 24 last year. Her visit to Donghwasa Temple is her first public schedule in the region since relocating to her Daegu residence.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
