Regarding former President Park Geun-hye's first outing at Donghwasa Temple in Daegu after her pardon and the political interpretations arising from it, Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party, drew a line by saying, "It is not right to interpret it too politically."
On the 12th, Seong responded to the host's question on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' about "the meaning of starting public activities one year before the general election" by saying, "Isn't this too much of a political interpretation?"
He said, "She is a private citizen, and the place where she lives is the TK (Daegu-Gyeongbuk) region. Also, her hometown is there. So it was natural for her to go out." He added, "As a former president, I think it is not bad for her to meet many people and warmly say a few words to the people who are struggling."
The political interpretations of former President Park's outing are diverse because it is about a year before the general election. Some speculate that Park's close aides, such as former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Kyung-hwan, lawyer Yoo Young-ha, and former Chief of Staff Woo Byung-woo, might run in next year's general election. When asked by the host, "What would you do if they apply for party nomination?" Seong said, "The most important criterion is whether they have a chance of winning or not." He continued, "So, the Party's Nomination Review Committee will be formed at that time. Whether they meet the criteria of the committee or not will be judged by the committee in the future, so there is no need to speculate about it now."
Regarding the rumors of disciplinary action against Kim Jae-won, the Senior Supreme Council Member, who recently participated in the worship service of Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church and made a series of gaffes, reminding the ruling party of its connection with the 'asphalt conservatives' ahead of the general election, Seong said, "I think the possibility is always open," adding, "I hope there will be no disparagement of those who have suffered in the process of implementing democracy, and I think these matters are taken seriously."
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