Park Geun-hye "Great People Will Overcome Difficulties... Expresses Gratitude to Yoon"

At Former President Park Chung-hee's 44th Memorial Ceremony
Park: "It Still Feels Like Father Is Beside Me"
Yoon Becomes First Sitting President to Attend Memorial Ceremony

Former President Park Geun-hye said on the 26th, "Although many years have passed, it still feels as if my father is by my side. This is because I live feeling that the prosperous country my father devoted his life to achieving is being realized."

At the 44th anniversary memorial service for her late father, former President Park Chung-hee, held at the Seoul National Cemetery on the same day, Park said, "Thanks to all of you who have not forgotten my father and have come to visit like this, my heart feels warm."

President Yoon Suk-yeol and former President Park Geun-hye, who attended the 44th anniversary memorial service for the late President Park Chung-hee, are shaking hands as they part ways after paying respects together at the tomb of former President Park Chung-hee at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on October 26. 2023.10.26 [Provided by the Presidential Office. Resale and DB prohibited] [Image source=Yonhap News]

Former President Park also expressed her gratitude to President Yoon Suk-yeol, who attended the memorial service immediately after returning from a 4-night, 6-day tour of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. She said, "I especially extend my sincere thanks to President Yoon Suk-yeol for attending the memorial service right after returning from his overseas tour today." This is the first time a sitting president has attended the memorial service, which has been held since 1890 under the auspices of the Minjok Joongheunhoe.

Reflecting on the past, former President Park said, "Looking back, there has never been a time without crisis since the founding of the Republic of Korea. We experienced war, were poorer than any other country in the world, and there were times when making a living was extremely desperate." She added, "But our great people overcame all these difficulties and now enjoy today's prosperity."

She continued, "My father's dream, my dream, and the dreams of all of you who have come here today are the same: that the people of the Republic of Korea unite with understanding and respect for each other to share prosperity and happiness for ourselves and future generations. I believe my father will also support and watch over us so that our dreams come true."