Yu Yeong-ha "Received 80,000 Letters from Park Geun-hye in Prison... No Mention of Yoon"

"Will Greet the Public Directly on Discharge Day"
"No Special Remarks About Yoon"

Former President Park Geun-hye. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] It has been reported that former President Park Geun-hye, who was specially pardoned on the 31st of last month, directly mentioned the area where she would stay after being discharged from the hospital. It is also reported that former President Park received about 80,000 letters while imprisoned and suggested the idea of compiling them into a book.

Yu Young-ha, a close aide and lawyer of former President Park, stated in an interview with MBN on the 3rd, "She mentioned a few places (for her residence), so we are looking into those areas primarily."

When asked whose idea it was to compile former President Park’s prison letters into a book, Lawyer Yu replied, "The President mentioned it, and I think I took the initiative to try it once." Former President Park recently published a collection of prison letters titled 'Longing Does Not Arise for Just Anyone.'

Regarding the question, "Does former President Park know that the book is so popular it has sold out?" Yu said, "Since the President watched the news from her hospital room, she probably knows," and added, "I have also told her about it."

He continued, "During her imprisonment, the President received about 80,000 letters. I thought that if these letters were compiled and published, a considerable number of the letter senders would probably purchase the book."

A citizen is holding the autobiography of former President Park Geun-hye, titled 'Longing Does Not Happen to Just Anyone.' / Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the passage in the book stating "The truth will be revealed over time," which some interpret as a political statement, Lawyer Yu dismissed this by saying, "It was not written with political intent."

He explained, "I recall the letter came around November 2017. At the time of the impeachment, much of the media coverage contained inaccuracies and many false reports. Nevertheless, the letter encouraged the President not to lose courage and to endure well, suggesting that eventually the truth would come out. You can understand that the President responded to the letter accordingly."

When asked if former President Park had ever mentioned Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, Yu replied, "She did not say anything in particular." He added, "The President has mentioned some politicians before, but it is not appropriate for me to disclose that."

Regarding former President Park’s plan for a public message, Yu said, "When I recently met the President, she clearly stated that she would personally greet the public on the day of her discharge." However, he refrained from revealing the contents of the message at this stage, saying it was difficult to disclose.

Lawyer Yu said, "Currently, the President’s health has greatly weakened, and she needs to focus on treatment." He added, "There has been no discussion about the content yet. Although she could consult me about it, it is not appropriate to say what the content might be at this stage."

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