SEOUL, March 24 – Former South Korean President Park Geun-hye left hospital on Thursday, three months after being released from prison where she had spent nearly five years following a corruption conviction.
Park, 70, became the country’s first democratically elected leader to be ousted when the Constitutional Court upheld a parliamentary vote to indict her in a 2017 scandal that also jailed the heads of two corporations, Samsung and Lotte .
“As President, I have tried to work hard for the country and the people, but there are many dreams that have not come true,” Park, dressed in a navy blue coat and carrying a handbag, told hundreds of cheering supporters after walking in Arrived at her home was the southeastern city of Daegu.
“But those dreams are jobs for others,” Park said, signaling that he had no intention of returning to the political fray. “I will provide support so that talented people can contribute to the development of my hometown Daegu and the country.”
Park is the daughter of former dictator Park Chung-hee, and her imprisonment divided a country where the old Cold War right-left rivalry still permeates politics. Continue reading
An unidentified object was thrown at Park shortly after she began delivering her televised address from a podium, but she smiled and thanked the crowd.
“I am very grateful that so many people came to give me a warm welcome, even though I had numerous flaws and disappointed you,” she said.
The Supreme Court last year upheld Park’s 20-year sentence for working with a friend who was also incarcerated to obtain millions of dollars from the companies, primarily to fund her friend’s family and charitable groups.
Outgoing President Moon Jae-in, who heads a liberal government, granted Park a special pardon in December, citing her deteriorating health and his hope of overcoming the “unfortunate history” and promoting national unity. Continue reading
Earlier, when Park left the Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, she told around 40 supporters that her health had improved. Dozens of officials who served in her administration and her conservative political party also gathered to offer their best wishes.
Park then visited her father’s grave before going home.
Park’s release comes days after a presidential election was won by conservative candidate Yoon Suk-yeol.
President-elect Yoon, who served as attorney general investigating corruption allegations against Park, said during the campaign that he was sorry for what happened to her.
On Thursday he said he hopes to meet her and invite her to his inauguration in May.
Moon’s office said he sent Park an orchid and wished her well.
Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Edited by Robert Birsel