Yoon Seok-yeol: "Park Jeong-hui Has Shadows but We Must Emulate His Achievements for a New Leap"

Emphasizing the 'Merits and Demerits' of Park Jeonghee Following Jeon Duwhan
Sequential Visits to the Graves of Kim Daejung, Lee Seungman, and Kim Youngsam

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate from the People Power Party, marked the 42nd anniversary of former President Park Chung-hee's death by stating, "There is the shadow of former President Park, but we must honor and emulate his achievements to achieve a new leap forward for the Republic of Korea."

On the afternoon of the 26th, Yoon visited the burial site of former President Park located at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and after paying respects, he said on Facebook, "Every country inevitably has both merits and demerits of historical figures."

He added, "It has been 42 years since former President Park's passing, but even now we live by enjoying the fruits of this great tree," and said, "The miracle of South Korea, once one of the poorest countries in the world, becoming one of the top 10 advanced countries today was possible because he instilled confidence that 'we can do it too' and moved forward together with the people."

He continued, "Especially in facing the COVID-19 national crisis, the reason our country could respond to this extent is thanks to the advanced medical system envied by the world, which cannot be thought of without the medical insurance system first implemented by him," and expressed, "Feeling the breath of a giant, I feel solemn."

After finishing his tribute, he also praised former President Park's achievements such as the five-year economic development plans, rural modernization movement, and the Gyeongbu Expressway during a meeting with reporters, emphasizing, "He laid the foundation for South Korea to rise as an industrial nation."

Meanwhile, on the same day in the morning, other party presidential candidates including former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, and lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo, along with party leadership, visited the burial site, but Yoon planned a separate visit in the afternoon without joining them. Upon visiting the burial site, Yoon wrote in the guestbook, "I will uphold the will of the patriots who devoted themselves to the country and build a righteous nation." After paying respects at former President Park's burial site, he also visited and paid respects at the burial sites of former Presidents Kim Dae-jung, Syngman Rhee, and Kim Young-sam in sequence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.