If I had been born into an ordinary family and if my parents hadn’t passed away in that way, I wouldn’t have had to go into politics. - Park Geun-hye

A genuine era of happiness is only possible when we aren’t clouded by the uncertainties of aging and when bearing and raising children is truly considered a blessing. No citizen should be left to fear that he or she might not be able to meet the basic requirements of life.

As I see the nation in distress due to the latest scandal, I think it is a natural duty for me to offer apologies even a hundred times. But even then it breaks my heart to think that it would still not resolve the huge disappointment and outrage.

In 1997 we had a financial crisis as part of the wider Asian crisis and I felt I had to come back and work for the people.