Park Geun-hye Unable to Return to Old Home, Where Will She Stay?..."Hospital Treatment for the Time Being"

Released at midnight on the 31st... Release procedures at the hospital

Former President Park Geun-hye, who was classified as a close contact of a COVID-19 confirmed case and completed isolation at the hospital, is being discharged from Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of February 9. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Former President Park Geun-hye was granted a special pardon on the 24th, drawing attention to her future residence. Former President Park sold her Samsung-dong residence in Seoul and purchased a residence in Naegok-dong, but the Naegok-dong residence was also seized by the prosecution and auctioned off, leaving her without a place to stay even if she is released now.

Park's attorney, Yoo Young-ha, met with reporters in front of Samsung Seoul Hospital on the 24th and conveyed Park's words: "Despite many difficulties, I sincerely thank President Moon Jae-in and the government authorities for deciding on the pardon," adding, "I will focus on medical treatment and hope to personally express my gratitude to the people as soon as possible. Thank you."

Regarding her residence after release, he said, "I cannot say right now. We are currently looking into the residence," and added, "Immediately after release, she will continue to stay in the hospital and focus on treatment."

When asked about former President Park's reaction upon hearing the news of the pardon, he explained, "She was just calm," and said, "I came in at 9 o'clock and watched the YTN news together. She accepted it calmly as the president."

Former President Park will be released at midnight on the 31st. Attorney Yoo said, "She will probably receive treatment at the hospital for the time being."

When asked whether former President Park would engage in political activities, Attorney Yoo responded skeptically, saying, "The president said she would focus on treatment."

The residence of former President Park Geun-hye located in Naegok-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, after being impeached in April 2017, former President Park sold her Samsung-dong residence in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, through a proxy and purchased a residence in Naegok-dong for 2.8 billion won. At that time, since she was detained, she never actually lived in the Naegok-dong residence.

In January, the prosecution executed the seizure of the Naegok-dong residence after former President Park, who was convicted in the state affairs manipulation case, failed to voluntarily pay fines and confiscated funds.

The residence auctioned through the Korea Asset Management Corporation's public asset disposal system Onbid was won at 3.864 billion won in the first auction bid. The successful bidder of the residence was IOI Company, an entertainment agency affiliated with Ssangbangwool Group. IOI Company changed ownership on October 1 after winning the bid.

Although the Naegok-dong residence went to auction, former President Park's belongings still remain inside, and IOI has not yet proceeded with eviction of former President Park.

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