[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Former President Park Geun-hye (70), who was sentenced to 22 years in prison for the state affairs manipulation scandal on March 31, 2017, and detained for 4 years and 9 months, expressed her gratitude to the public.
On the morning of the 24th, as she was discharged from Samsung Seoul Hospital, former President Park said, "I am greeting the public for the first time in 5 years. Thanks to your concern, my health has greatly improved." She then visited the burial site of former President Park Chung-hee and his wife at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery before heading to her residence in Daegu.
At around 12:20 PM, she arrived in front of her residence in Yuga-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, and said, "I am greeting you all after a long time. During difficult times, I endured by thinking only of returning to Dalseong-gun, my political and emotional hometown."
She added, "Although I was very lacking and caused disappointment, I am deeply grateful that so many people came to warmly welcome me. After the decision on my pardon, I was deeply moved by media reports that the people of Dalseong promised to 'take care of me so that I can live a peaceful life,' and I felt truly happy."
She said, "When I first came to this unfamiliar place, Dalseong, 24 years ago in 1998, the people here warmly embraced and supported me from the beginning," and added, "My footprints must surely remain deeply in the soil of Dalseong-gun. If I could go back, I would return to those days because I truly miss that time."
She continued, "While I was president, I worked hard for the country and the people, but there were many dreams I could not achieve," and said, "I believe the dreams I could not fulfill now belong to others. I will contribute my small strength so that talented individuals can help my hometown Daegu leap forward and further contribute to the development of the Republic of Korea. From now on, as a member of the public and a good neighbor, I will try to repay your support even a little."
Meanwhile, President-elect Yoon Seok-youl sent a congratulatory flower arrangement to former President Park on her discharge and conveyed his wishes, saying, "I hope former President Park Geun-hye recovers her health. I have postponed my visit to Daegu and Gyeongbuk while waiting for her to be discharged and return to her residence. If her health permits, I would like to visit and greet her as early as next week."
It is also known that President Moon Jae-in sent a congratulatory flower arrangement with the phrase "Always stay healthy" to former President Park. According to the Blue House, former President Park, who received the congratulatory flowers, sent a message to President Moon saying, "Please finish well and take good care of your health."
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