Supporters overwhelm opponents at pardoned ex-president's homecoming

Supporters of former President Park Geun-hye welcome her arrival at her new residence in Dalseong County, in the southeastern city of Daegu, March 24. Korea Times photo by Wang Tae-suk

'We love you:' Former president's return thrills supporters in Daegu

By Lee Hyo-jin

DAEGU ― It was a day of excitement for Dalseong County in the southeastern city of Daegu, March 24, when former conservative President Park Geun-hye settled at her new home, after spending nearly five years in prison.

From early morning, thousands of loyal supporters of Park, who still believe that she is the nation's leader, gathered in front of her new residence, located in a village in southwest Daegu, to welcome her return.

Dalseong is Park's political hometown, where she started her career as a politician. She ran for the National Assembly election there in 1998 and was elected four times.

The welcoming ceremony was organized by ultra-conservative minor Our Republican Party and attended by Park's diehard supporters, collectively called, “Park-Sa-Mo,” which literally means, “the group who loves Park Geun-hye.”

While waiting for Park to arrive, the participants waved white and green balloons ― the colors of which symbolize “innocence and revival,” according to the organizers. Many were seen taking selfies with Park's residence in the background.

The 1,670-square-meter two-story house with a basement and an elevator ― known to have cost approximately 2.5 billion won ($1.67 million) ― was purchased by Park in January of this year.

Supporters look at flower wreaths lined up in front of ex-president Park Geun-hye's residence in Dalseong County, Daegu, March. 24. Yonhap

Hundreds of flower wreaths sent by Park's supporters from across the country lined the path to her home, while dozens of banners were hung at the entrance of the village, with several of them reading, “Welcome to your private residence, Ms. President” and “We wish for your return to Cheong Hwa Dae (a misspelling of “Cheong Wa Dae,” the presidential office and residence in Seoul).”

Several stands were seen selling Park's book, “Not Everybody Feels a Longing,” a compilation of her letters written while serving over four years in prison. The merchants said the funds raised by the book sales would be used to make a documentary film about Park.

After revelations of political corruption and five months of Candlelight demonstrations around the country, Park was impeached in 2016 and sentenced to a combined 22-year sentence in March 2017 on 16 charges of bribery and power abuse. After serving four years and nine months of the sentence, she was released via a special pardon in December 2021.

But the scandal-ridden former president still has a handful of fervent supporters who cling onto the notion that she is innocent.

“I am so thrilled. I burst into tears when I saw her coming out of the hospital today,” said a Dalseong resident in her 70s surnamed Lee.

Since her release, Park had been hospitalized in Samsung Medical Center for treatment of ailments in her shoulder and back.

“It's heartbreaking to imagine what she has gone through. She was wrongfully convicted over the criminal wrongdoings of her aides. She is not a bad person, but her aides are,” Lee said.

“I'm so excited to finally see her in person,” said Chae Won-yong, a 57-year-old man who traveled from Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province to Daegu. “I feel so sorry for her that she had to spend five years in jail at an old age. She did nothing wrong. She is just a victim of political witch hunts by leftists.”

Some are loyal to Park because of her father's legacy. Longtime military dictator Park Chung-hee, who took power in a 1961 and held onto it for 18 years until he was assassinated by a close aide in 1979, is credited with guiding the country's rapid economic development during his dictatorship.

“I support her because she is the daughter of Park Chung-hee, who lifted our country from poverty. I still remember the days when livelihoods of people drastically improved under his leadership,” said a 60-something woman surnamed Jeong, who lives in Gyeongsan, a satellite city near Daegu.

Park Geun-hye speaks to her supporters in front of her residence in Dalseong, Daegu, March 24. Yonhap

Around 12:15 p.m., as Park's black car approached the entrance of the village, the crowd began to chant “President Park Geun-hye!” “We love you!” Please stay healthy!” Then they released balloons into the sky.

Wearing a navy coat and a beige mask, Park stood in front of the crowd to deliver a speech.

“The past five years has been a difficult time for me to endure. But I was able to endure those days by dreaming about the day when I would return to my political hometown of Dalseong,” she said.

Bodyguards surround ex-president Park Geun-hye immediately after a man threw a bottle of soju at her as she delivers a speech in front of her residence in Daegu, March 24. Yonhap

But her speech was abruptly interrupted by a 40-something man who threw a soju bottle at her, crashing to the ground. The act infuriated her supporters, with some people swearing at the man. He was arrested by the police shortly after.

Some supporters shed tears as they watched Park heading into her new house after she finished the short speech.

“This is the day I've been waiting for months, after I heard that 'Ms. President' would be moving here,” said a Dalseong resident in her 60s surnamed Bin who lives just few minutes away from Park's home. “I'm so relieved to see her healthy and free. I hope she feels at home in our neighborhood. And I hope she resumes political activities once she gets better.”