Former President Park Geun-hye visited a traditional market in Daegu on the 23rd, the first weekend of official campaigning for the June 3 local elections, to boost People Power Party Daegu mayoral candidate Choo Kyung-ho. This is the first time Park has appeared at a public campaign rally since her impeachment.
Park visited Chilseong Market in Buk-gu, Daegu, with Choo that afternoon. Lawmaker Yoo Young-ha, who competed in the Daegu mayoral primary, and others accompanied them. When Park, wearing a bright yellow shirt, arrived at the market, crowds, including market vendors, gathered and shouted "President Park Geun-hye."
For about 30 minutes, Park moved through the market with Choo, shaking hands one by one with residents or giving high-fives. People said to Park, "Please stay healthy," and not only ordinary citizens but also hundreds of supporters flocked to the scene, creating a packed crowd. When a market vendor said, "President Park Geun-hye, we love you," and made a heart with their hands, Park responded by drawing a heart above her head.
After greeting people at the market, Park said, "I heard many people said, 'I wish I could see you once, I wish I could meet you,'" and added, "Coming to Chilseong Market after a long time and seeing you welcome me, I felt sorry that I should have come earlier to see you, and I also felt grateful. Since I hear the economy is not doing well, I wanted to offer even a little comfort like this."
She then said, "Since candidate Choo Kyung-ho came along and knows very well the difficult economic situation, I think he will prepare good policies." The remarks were seen as lending support to Choo, who is called an "economy expert" after serving as deputy prime minister for the economy, among other roles.