Daegu: People Power Party (PPP) presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo paid a courtesy visit to former President Park Geun-hye on Saturday, seeking her support for the upcoming presidential election, according to party officials. The meeting took place at Park's residence in Daegu, a stronghold for the PPP, as Kim campaigned in the region.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this was Kim's first meeting with Park since securing the party's nomination earlier this month. During the visit, Park stressed the necessity of "putting the past behind and uniting as one to win the election, despite the many challenges the party has faced," as stated by PPP spokesperson Shin Dong-wook. Kim acknowledged the difficulties faced during the party primaries and expressed his commitment to working hard to win the election, hoping for Park's support.
Before meeting Park, Kim visited the birthplace of Park's father, former President Park Chung-hee, in Gumi, located about 200 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Kim remarked on Park Chung-hee's contributions, saying, "Former President Park Chung-hee laid the foundation for the prosperity we enjoy today." He also emphasized the need to restore the honor of Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office in 2017 following a corruption and influence-peddling scandal.
While campaigning in the region, Kim addressed the public, apologizing for "the many shortcomings of both myself and our party," referring to issues such as the imposition of martial law and economic challenges under former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon was impeached last month for declaring martial law in December, an act that has led to the upcoming presidential election on June 3.