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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Park Geun-hye may play 'elder' role but not return to politics: aide

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Former President Park Geun-hye is not expected to re-enter practical politics but may play an "elder" role, according to her close aide.
  • The aide suggested Park could voice opinions on national issues if necessary, acting as a senior statesperson.
  • Park reportedly expressed concern over a recent legal amendment that limits prosecutorial investigation powers.

Yoo Young-ha, a close confidant of former President Park Geun-hye and a member of the People Power Party, stated that while Park does not intend to return to active politics, she holds a strong desire to fulfill an "elder" role.

Whether she wants to or not, the conservative camp lacks a senior figure and a central point of focus, which many media outlets have pointed out.

— Yoo Young-haDescribing the need for a senior figure in the conservative political camp.

"Whether she wants to or not, the conservative camp lacks a senior figure and a central point of focus, which many media outlets have pointed out," Yoo said in a YouTube interview. He believes that as a former president and a national elder, Park should not remain silent on critical national issues. "If her voice is needed for the country to improve and move in a good direction, I believe she can speak out. I expect she will do so."

If her voice is needed for the country to improve and move in a good direction, I believe she can speak out. I expect she will do so.

— Yoo Young-haSuggesting Park Geun-hye's potential role in national affairs.

Yoo also revealed that Park expressed concern over a recent amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which passed the National Assembly. This amendment significantly curtails the prosecution's power to conduct supplementary investigations after police probes. Yoo conveyed Park's sentiment, questioning why such a mechanism, which helps uncover incomplete aspects of investigations for the public's benefit, would be hindered.

Why is it being prevented when it would be helpful to the public for the prosecution to investigate the incomplete parts of a police investigation?

— Park Geun-hye (as relayed by Yoo Young-ha)Expressing concern over the amendment limiting prosecutorial powers.

When asked if Park might publicly comment on the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, Yoo indicated she would likely speak out if the issue is deemed critical and requires her intervention. He also shared Park's thoughts from a recent dinner with People Power Party lawmakers from the Yeongnam region, where she expressed regret over the perceived disunity within the party, emphasizing the need for a united front when confronting the ruling party.

She seemed to think that we, as a minority party, should unite and fight as one against the ruling party.

— Yoo Young-haRelaying Park Geun-hye's thoughts on party unity.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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