"Just One Handshake": Park Geun-hye Grabs Her Wrist Amid Surging Crowds

Former President Park Geun-hye Visits Jinju Central Market in Gyeongnam
Crowds of Citizens and Supporters Gather, Series of Handshakes Follow

Former President Park Geun-hye was seen complaining of wrist pain after shaking hands with citizens while campaigning in support of People Power Party candidates ahead of the June 3 local elections.

On the 27th, former President Park visited Jinju Central Market in Jinju, Gyeongnam, to support People Power Party candidates, including Park Wansu, the Gyeongnam governor candidate, and Han Kyungho, the Jinju mayoral candidate. A large crowd of citizens and supporters gathered in the vicinity of the Central Market to catch a glimpse of the former president.

Former President Park Geun-hye is seen grimacing as if her hand hurts after shaking hands with citizens at Jinju Central Market in Jinju, Gyeongnam on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News

At the scene, former President Park shook hands with several citizens. During this process, cameras captured her grasping her right wrist and making a pained facial expression, as if experiencing discomfort.

Regarding this, People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Youngha wrote on Facebook, "Accompanying President Park Geun-hye, we visited Jinju Central Market, followed by Sinjeong Market in Ulsan, Nambu Market in Yangsan, and Gijang Market in Busan," adding, "I was worried that an accident might happen due to the large crowds everywhere we went."

Former President Park Geun-hye is greeting citizens at Jinju Central Market in Jinju, Gyeongnam on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News

Assemblyman Yoo stated, "Citizens reached out with all their strength just to shake hands with the President, and the hand that returned the handshake was sore in many ways," adding, "While I am grateful, there was nothing I could do to stop the hands reaching out."

On the 23rd, former President Park visited Daegu, on the 25th she visited Daejeon and Chungnam, and on the previous day, she visited Jinju, Yangsan, Ulsan, and Busan, publicly supporting People Power Party candidates.

At Jinju Central Market that day, former President Park said, "When I visited the Central Market last year, you welcomed me warmly, and I am grateful for your kind hospitality again today." She continued, "I am deeply concerned about the current difficult economic situation," and added, "The candidates here with me have ample ability and experience to revitalize the local economy. If the citizens entrust them with their support, I expect they will certainly help the economy recover."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.