Democratic Party Criticizes Yoon for Apologizing to Park Geun-hye, Saying It Insults the Candlelight Protesters

Yoon Visits Former President Park in Daegu on the 12th
"Expressed My Apologies," He Said

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol (right) is visiting former President Park Geun-hye at her residence in Dalseong, Daegu. / Photo by Office of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol's Spokesperson

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] The Democratic Party strongly criticized President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol for visiting former President Park Geun-hye's residence to offer an apology, calling it "an insult to the people." They argue that Yoon's apology to former President Park, whom he had investigated during the past 'state affairs manipulation' scandal, is tantamount to denying the impeachment.

On the 12th, Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Oh-seop stated in a written briefing, "President-elect Yoon met with former President Park and apologized, saying, 'I am truly ashamed. I have always been sorry,'" and questioned, "What is he apologizing for? If it is a denial of the impeachment, it is an insult to the people who held candlelight vigils."

He continued, "If it is a denial of the legitimacy of the investigation he led, then I ask what judicial justice, which Yoon and the prosecution emphasize so much, really means," adding, "We ask whether the apology to former President Park is a statement that can come from the awareness of a president-elect and the conscience of a prosecutor. Furthermore, if Yoon's apology is a political act with the local elections in mind, we hope he first recognizes that he is about to assume the presidency with the duty of political neutrality."

Spokesperson Cho added, "Today’s apology by President-elect Yoon will not lead to national unity but will instead sow seeds of further conflict," and "We hope he apologizes to the people for insulting those who held candlelight vigils through his apology to former President Park."

On the same day, President-elect Yoon visited former President Park’s residence in Daegu and held a meeting for about 50 minutes.

On the 12th, President-elect Yoon arrived at the former President Park's residence in Yuga-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, and greeted lawyer Yoo Young-ha before visiting former President Park. Photo by Transition Committee Press Corps

At a press conference, Kwon Young-se, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Transition Committee who attended the meeting, said, "The president-elect expressed that he would inherit the policies of former President Park, widely promote them so they are properly recognized, and help restore her honor," adding, "Former President Park also expressed her gratitude."

It was also reported that Yoon apologized for the investigation he led during the 'state affairs manipulation' scandal at this meeting. After the meeting, Yoon told reporters, "I said I am always sorry and ashamed," and added, "I also expressed my human sympathy and the remorse I carry in my heart."

Meanwhile, former President Park was discharged from Samsung Seoul Hospital on the 24th of last month and moved into her residence in Dalseong County, Daegu.

She also supported lawyer Yoo Young-ha, who officially declared his candidacy for Daegu mayor in the upcoming June 1 local elections. Yoo served as her legal representative and de facto spokesperson during her imprisonment.

In a video released on the YouTube channel 'Yoo Young-ha TV' on the 8th, former President Park said, "(Lawyer Yoo) will fulfill the dreams I wanted to achieve on my behalf," and added, "Even when everyone I knew left and denied our connection, he silently endured difficult times by my side without a word and bore criticism without complaint."

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