Park to take summer vacation next week

President Park Geun-hye will take a five-day summer vacation next week at a location yet to be decided, officials said Wednesday.

Park's main concern in choosing a location for the holiday starting Monday is the message it will send to the public following April's deadly ferry sinking, the officials said.

"I understand that she is contemplating the situation surrounding the (ferry) Sewol, a return to everyday life and the vitalization of the public's livelihoods," presidential spokesman Min Kyung-wook told reporters.

With 294 people dead and 10 still missing in the ferry disaster, the public may react negatively if Park is seen enjoying her vacation outside of the presidential compounds, the officials said.

Others, however, have proposed the president spend her vacation elsewhere in order to encourage a return to everyday life as consumer spending remains low due in part to the tragedy. (Yonhap)