Yoon, ex-President Park meet for first time since inauguration as poll numbers slip

Two conservative holders of Korea's top office — Yoon Suk Yeol and Park Geun-hye — met for the first time in more than a year since Yoon’s inauguration as the incumbent president’s poll numbers dwindle ahead of next year’s parliamentary election.

Former President Park Geun-hye, left, and President Yoon Suk Yeol at the Seoul National Cemetary on Thursday where Park's father and late President Park Chung Hee is buried. Thursday marked the 44th anniversary since the late president was assassinated. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Two conservative holders of Korea's top office — Yoon Suk Yeol and Park Geun-hye — met for the first time in more than a year since Yoon’s inauguration as the incumbent president’s poll numbers dwindle ahead of next year’s parliamentary election.

The meeting took place on the 44th anniversary of the death of President Park Chung Hee, Park’s father, at Seoul National Cemetery, Dongjak District, in southern Seoul on Thursday.

This was the first time that a sitting president had attended the ceremony.

It was also the first official event Yoon attended since returning from the Middle East.

For Park, not only was this the first time she had attended her father’s commemorative event in 11 years, but it was also her first trip to Seoul since she moved to Daegu after being pardoned by former President Moon Jae-in in December 2021.

During his speech, Yoon stressed the need to learn from the late president, including his vision.

“President Park Chung Hee’s mindset that we can do it [if we set our minds] gave confidence to our people, and it also inspired pride in our nation,” Yoon said. “He had unified the people to become great by unlocking our potential.”

Yoon stressed that today, we must remind ourselves of the late president’s mindset and achievements in a time of crisis to leap forward.

“Today, we are facing various challenges,” Park said. “However, I believe our government will overcome them with the people.”

She said in retrospect, the country has always faced crises since the republic's founding.

“We went through war, we were the poorest in the world, and there were desperate times when making a living was hard,” Park said. “However, our great people overcame all those challenges, and today we enjoy prosperity.”

The two presidents' meeting had drawn interest, especially as Yoon’s poll numbers dropped, especially in the so-called “TK” region, referring to Daegu and the Gyeongsang province.

The TK region has traditionally been a stronghold for conservative parties, and Park has a solid political base in Daegu.

In a Gallup Korea survey last week, 61 percent of respondents disapproved of Yoon's performance, while 30 percent approved.

His negatives increased from 58 percent the previous week, while his positives dropped by 33 percent.

But more alarmingly, support in TK dropped 13 percentage points to 45, while disapproval hit 48 percent.

Recently, the People Power Party (PPP) has been trying to turn the tide, including seeking assistance from Park to rally support for the party.

Last month, PPP leader Kim Gi-hyeon traveled down to Daegu to meet with President Park.

The party’s leader said that Park responded positively when he relayed Yoon’s message that he wanted to meet her.

On Thursday, the PPP’s innovation committee, headed by naturalized physician Ihn Yo-han, announced the 12 people joining the committee, including party members, professors, lawyers and a college student.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]