Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters). -President of South Korea Park Geun Hye, a former president, left the hospital Wednesday three months following her release from prison. There she served nearly five years after being convicted on corruption charges.

Park, aged 70, was forced out of office by the Constitutional Court after she was elected in 2017. She had been impeached for a scandal which also put the heads of two major conglomerates, Samsung (KS) and Lotte in prison.

Park appeared in dark navy and a purse as she spoke to hundreds of supporters upon arriving in Daegu, a southeastern Korean city.

Park stated, “But these dreams are tasks to others,” and indicated no desire to return into politics. “I will offer support to talented people so they can contribute to development in my hometown of Daegu”

Park Chung-hee’s daughter was a former dictator. Her imprisonment caused a division in a country where old Cold War rivalry between left and right still influences politics.

Park received an unknown object as soon as she was about to start her broadcasts from the podium. Park smiled and thanked all those present.

She said, “I’m extremely thankful that so many people were willing to greet me, even though my shortcomings and disappointments,”

Park was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment last year for conspiring with her friend to get millions of dollars from companies. This money was mostly used to support Park’s friend and family.

Park, the president of a liberal government, was given a special pardon on December by Moon Jae-in. This was due to Park’s deteriorating health. It also reflected his hope that he could move beyond “unfortunate past” and encourage national unity.

Park had earlier told 40 of her supporters, while she was leaving the Samsung Medical Centre, Seoul that her health had improved. Park was joined by dozens of former members of her administration as well as her conservative party to share their very best wishes.

Park visited the grave of her father before she returned home.

Park is released just days after Yoon Suk-yeol won the presidential election.

President-elect Yoon said during his election campaign that he had been involved in the investigation into Park’s corruption allegations.

He stated that he had hoped to be able to meet with her Thursday night and invited her to attend his May Inauguration.

Moon’s office stated that he sent Park an orchid, and wished her all the best.