President Yoon Suk Yeol wished former President Park Geun-hye a happy 72nd birthday Friday, saying he hopes her health will recover soon and allow her to meet more frequently with the people, his office said.
"I heard you are releasing a memoir and holding a book concert in Daegu next Monday," he was quoted as saying in the phone call by presidential spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung. "I hope our people will feel your sincerity through the memoir and book concert and once again remember the good policies and achievements of your time in office."
The conservative former president was ousted from office in 2017 over a corruption scandal and spent four years and nine months in prison on related charges before being pardoned in 2021. Park has since lived in her hometown of Daegu, 237 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
"I often visit markets and the field these days, and am often reminded of how you used to meet with the people," Yoon said in the call. "Many people still wish to see you, so I hope your health will recover soon and you will meet often with the people."
Park thanked the president for the phone call and wished him and first lady Kim Keon Hee a good rest during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.
Yoon and Park have met several times since the president's inauguration, including at Park's home in Daegu last November and at the presidential residence in Seoul the following month.
The two have a complex relationship dating back to when Yoon, as a prosecutor, led an investigation into the corruption allegations against Park.
