Park "Thank you to President Lee Jae-myung for his constitutional decision"

Former leader of the Justice Party, Park Geun-hye, was released from the Seoul Southern Prison at 12:02 AM on the 15th due to President Lee Jae-myung's special pardon and restoration of rights on Liberation Day.

He held a public greeting in front of the prison gate and shared his first official position.

Immediately after his release, Park expressed his gratitude, stating, "I deeply thank President Lee Jae-myung for his constitutional decision." He also thanked religious leaders, elder statesmen of civil society, former speakers of the National Assembly, and scholars and professors from both domestic and international backgrounds who worked for his pardon and restoration of rights, stating, "I also express my respect to those who criticized me."

He defined this pardon as "a symbolic moment marking the end of the era of abuse of prosecutorial power," emphasizing, "The Justice Party has been fighting against the Yoon Seok-yeol government, calling for the early termination of prosecutorial authority since our founding."

"Defeat the Yoon Seok-yeol faction… The democratic and progressive camp must unite"

Targeting former President Yoon Seok-yeol, Park stated, "The Yoon Seok-yeol faction instigated an unconstitutional insurrection, but they were defeated by the power of the people."

He added, "The Lee Jae-myung government is a product of the exercise of popular sovereignty and must succeed. I will also lend my strength," and criticized the People Power Party, stating, "The party that protects Yoon Seok-yeol must face judgment again," urging for greater unity and solidarity within the democratic and progressive camps.

"Engaging in politics with humility… The Justice Party is preparing for a comeback"

Park stated, "I have reflected deeply for the past eight months," and vowed, "If my return is realized, I will engage in politics by accepting both criticism and opposition with humility."

He added, "I missed my party comrades and the citizens. I thank everyone who traveled a long distance to come here."

In the meantime, the Justice Party has initiated the reactivation of the "Park Geun-hye system" in preparation for Park's return. During the Supreme Committee meeting held at the National Assembly the day before, the composition of the Election Commission was decided, with Cha Kyu-geun being appointed as the chairperson and Lee Kyu-won as the deputy chairperson.