Lee Jun-seok, Difficultly Delivered Congratulatory Flowers to Former President Park Geun-hye... "There Were Protests from Some Supporters"

"Safely Delivered via Alternative Route... Received a Reply"

Former President Park Geun-hye, who was pardoned at the end of last year, was discharged from Samsung Seoul Hospital in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 24th and is moving to the National Cemetery. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] It has been confirmed that Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, delivered a congratulatory orchid to former President Park Geun-hye, who was discharged from the hospital, on the 25th. It was reported that some supporters protested during the delivery of the orchid to her residence in Daegu that day. Rumors also circulated on online communities claiming that "former President Park rejected the orchid from Leader Lee."

Leader Lee stated in a post on his Facebook that day, "Today, Secretary Park delivered an orchid wishing for a speedy recovery to former President Park."

On the same day, claims spread on some online communities that former President Park had rejected the orchid from Leader Lee. It was said that when Park Sung-min, Secretary to Leader Lee and a member of the People Power Party, visited the residence to deliver the orchid, some of former President Park’s supporters gathered nearby and strongly protested, driving him away.

In response, Leader Lee explained, "The visit was coordinated in advance, and there were some protests from supporters on site," adding, "We immediately communicated with officials from former President Park’s side and completed the delivery through another route."

He further added, "We received confirmation from former President Park’s side that the orchid was well received."

◆'Park Geun-hye Kid' Lee Jun-seok... Split After Impeachment

Leader Lee entered politics in 2011 when he was selected by then-Congresswoman Park Geun-hye.

That year, he began his full-fledged political career by serving as an emergency committee member of the Saenuri Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party). Ahead of the 2014 by-elections, he was appointed chairman of the 'Innovation Committee to Change Saenuri' under the Park Geun-hye administration. He earned the nickname 'Park Geun-hye Kid.'

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, expressed his position on the special pardon of former President Park last December. / Photo by Yonhap News

However, following the political scandal and impeachment crisis, he parted ways with former President Park. In May of last year, he wrote on his Facebook, "I am always grateful to the person (former President Park Geun-hye) who pulled me from wrestling with computers to wrestling with people," but also said, "However, the impeachment was justified. I say this everywhere I go, so what’s the problem?"

During the People Power Party leadership race in June last year, he reiterated, "I am thankful to President Park Geun-hye who recruited me, but I criticize the fact that President Park failed to exclude those who exploited her power, which led to the political scandal," adding, "Because the situation became ungovernable, I believe the impeachment was justified."

Regarding the then-major political issue of pardoning former President Park, he also drew a line by saying, "I have no intention of bringing up the issue of pardon in the public domain while serving as party leader."

Meanwhile, it was reported that former President Park also received an orchid from President Moon Jae-in two days before her discharge, on the 22nd.

Park Kyung-mi, spokesperson for the Blue House, stated in a written briefing on the 24th, "President Moon sent an orchid congratulating former President Park on her discharge on the afternoon of the 22nd," adding, "Former President Park conveyed to President Moon, 'Please finish well and take good care of your health.'"

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