Park Geun-hye recalls prison life: 7 guards watched her 24/7, she was woken up by the cold at night and didn’t have enough to eat.

On South Korea's political stage, there is a woman who has garnered much attention. Her father served as the country's president for many years and ruled with an iron fist.

Even after her father’s death, she continued to be active in the political scene as “South Korea’s First Daughter,” eventually becoming the country's first female president.

However, this leader, who had once been held in high esteem, made significant mistakes during her term in office. She ultimately fell from grace for allowing her close friend to interfere in state affairs, leading to her imprisonment. This is Park Geun-hye, South Korea's 18th president.

Park Geun-hye was arrested and imprisoned due to the "Choi Soon-sil scandal," suffering through immense hardship as her old illnesses resurfaced. Her health deteriorated, and she developed kidney and stomach ailments.

After Moon Jae-in took office, she was granted a presidential pardon, finally regaining her freedom at the age of 72, allowing her to enjoy her later years.

Park Geun-hye was born in 1952 in a wealthy family in Daegu. When she was just one year old, her family moved to Seoul (then called Hanseong).

Her father, Park Chung-hee, was a politician with great ambition. When she was only nine years old, he staged a military coup and successfully seized power, becoming South Korea’s president.

Due to her father’s unique position, Park Geun-hye was called “South Korea’s First Daughter” from a young age and attracted significant attention in political circles.

Park Geun-hye admired her father from childhood and regarded him as a role model. She aspired to become an outstanding figure like him.

During her school years, she excelled academically and demonstrated independent thinking and clear goals.

At that time, South Korea's economy was rising rapidly, becoming one of the “Four Asian Tigers,” showcasing immense developmental potential.

Park Geun-hye saw the great opportunities for her country’s future and decided to dedicate herself to the nation's industrialization process by enrolling in the Electronic Engineering Department at Sogang University, studying advanced technologies in hopes of contributing to the country's development.

However, fate was cruel. Just as she was about to graduate from university, her mother was tragically assassinated while accompanying her father at a public event.

This event caused Park Geun-hye immense emotional trauma. Yet, instead of being defeated, she resolutely took on more responsibility, becoming her father’s closest aide and stepping into the political arena.

It was during this period that a mysterious woman named Choi Soon-sil entered her life.

Choi Soon-sil claimed that she was guided by a “dream” from Park Geun-hye’s deceased mother, coming to help her through difficult times.

From then on, the two developed a close relationship, and Choi Soon-sil gradually became Park Geun-hye’s most trusted confidante. This friendship later sowed the seeds for the "Choi Soon-sil scandal."

Five years later, Park Geun-hye’s father, Park Chung-hee, was also assassinated. In just a few short years, Park Geun-hye lost both of her parents, dealing a massive blow to her life.

However, Park Geun-hye quickly recovered and announced her candidacy for president, determined to complete her father’s unfinished business.

In 2012, she was successfully elected as South Korea’s 18th president, becoming the country’s first female president in its history.

This historic moment not only changed South Korea’s political landscape but also altered the trajectory of Park Geun-hye’s life.

In 2017, Park Geun-hye’s presidency fell into an unprecedented crisis.

South Korea's Blue House received a report, and a woman’s computer was found to contain several presidential speeches. After investigation, it was confirmed that these documents had been modified and decided by none other than Park Geun-hye’s friend, Choi Soon-sil.

This news caused a massive uproar, and Park Geun-hye was quickly impeached and eventually arrested.

Further investigations revealed that Choi Soon-sil had exploited Park Geun-hye's power to accept bribes and manipulate various state affairs.

Ultimately, Choi Soon-sil was sentenced to 22 years in prison, while Park Geun-hye was also convicted for allowing her friend to interfere in state affairs and abuse of power. At the age of 66, she entered prison.

Life in prison was particularly tough for Park Geun-hye.

In prison, she lost her former authority and glory, becoming just another inmate subject to reform.

Although the prison provided certain protections due to her special status, she still faced enormous mental and physical challenges.

Park Geun-hye was held in an 11-square-meter single cell, which had a private toilet and shower, along with a television so she could follow the news.

Even so, she had to sleep on the floor like other prisoners and eat simple meals.

Due to prolonged mental stress and irregular eating habits, Park Geun-hye’s health severely deteriorated, and she developed serious stomach and kidney problems, requiring regular hospital treatment.

Moreover, the surveillance cameras in her cell made her feel she had no privacy, leaving her constantly mentally tense.

Despite this, Park Geun-hye refused visitors and nearly severed all contact with the outside world. During the long years of her imprisonment, she once lost all hope in life.

Park Geun-hye’s supporters did not forget her.

Many spontaneously organized to support her outside the prison, calling out her name and telling her to stay strong.

Perhaps these voices gave her some strength. Over time, Park Geun-hye gradually adapted to prison life, starting to read, reflect, and began writing her autobiography, *Waking Up*, in an attempt to find inner peace by reflecting on her past.

In 2021, President Moon Jae-in signed a pardon decree, and some prisoners, including Park Geun-hye, were granted amnesty.

When the pardon was delivered, the now 72-year-old Park Geun-hye calmly accepted the news.

After being released from prison, her family took her back to her old home in Daegu, ending her four-year prison sentence.

This once "First Daughter of South Korea," after reaching the pinnacle of power and then falling into disgrace, finally experienced a major turning point in her life.

However, her political career and personal destiny have already left an indelible mark in the tides of history.