Lee Sun-ja and Noh So-young Attend Yoon Inauguration Ceremony... Kwon Yang-sook Likely to Be Absent

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Former President Park Geun-hye, Lee Soon-ja, wife of former President Jeon Du-hwan, and No So-young, eldest daughter of former President Roh Tae-woo and director of Art Center Nabi, will attend the inauguration ceremony of President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol held on the 10th. Kwon Yang-sook, wife of former President Roh Moo-hyun, has effectively declined to attend due to health reasons.

On the 3rd, Park Joo-sun, chairman of the Presidential Inauguration Preparation Committee, held a briefing at the transition office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and announced this.

Regarding the invitation of former presidents and their families, Chairman Park said, "Former President Park personally visited the private residence to deliver an invitation letter with the president-elect's handwritten message," adding, "The invitation process for the other 10 presidents and their families has also been completed."

Among them, Lee Soon-ja, wife of former President Jeon, expressed pleasure and willingness to attend, saying that the family invitation was unusual, Chairman Park revealed. Director No, eldest daughter of former President Roh, also added, "The family invitation is a very well-done act in terms of national unity," and "I have willingly decided to participate."

An invitation letter will be sent to Kwon Yang-sook, wife of former President Roh Moo-hyun, within the day. Chairman Park explained the delay in delivering the invitation letter, saying, "I heard from Ms. Kwon's secretary that due to health reasons, long-distance travel is difficult and it might be hard to attend, so there was an opinion that there was no need to deliver the invitation letter in person," adding, "However, the invitation is a matter of courtesy, and the decision to attend is up to Ms. Kwon herself, so we plan to send the invitation letter." The inauguration committee originally planned to deliver the invitation letter directly at the committee level, but due to circumstances, it was decided to deliver it through officials from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety.

Regarding concerns that inviting the family of former President Jeon, who has been stripped of presidential honors, might hinder national unity, Chairman Park said, "Although they do not receive honors legally, the historical fact that they were former presidents cannot be erased," and "I think it is desirable for national unity that they come to celebrate the launch of the new government and wish for its success."

The Inauguration Preparation Committee confirmed attendance for 9,813 people, which is 51.4% of the 19,099 applicants. Additionally, about 3,000 people, including 1,500 directly identified by the committee, about 1,300 applicants from special invitations, and 175 recommended by local governments, have been screened down to about 700.

Meanwhile, the committee is promoting a plan to have President-elect Yoon personally write his inaugural address on hanji paper in calligraphy style and preserve it as a presidential record. Chairman Park said, "This is to realize the constitutional spirit of inheriting and developing traditional culture and promoting national culture," adding, "It is the first time that an inaugural address is produced in calligraphy on hanji made by traditional methods."

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