“I will devote the second life given to me to the country and the people.”
From her autobiography entitled Steeled by Despair, Motivated by Hope

On May 20, 2006, Park Geun-hye was attacked by a man wielding a knife at a local election campaign rally held in Seoul. She suffered a severe slash across her face.

The doctor who treated her said that she would have lost her life in three minutes if the wound had been just 5mm deeper. She thought about her deceased parents throughout her operation and expressed her thanks to the people who prayed for her prompt recovery. She feels that she has been given a second life with the blessing of Heaven.

“I often think that some almighty power has so far helped me live through difficulties. I have always thought that my life is not my own. I believe that such a thought has helped me withstand my moments of despair. Sometimes, I felt so much pain that even living through another day was an ordeal. And at this moment, another path is being opened in my life. I will not shy away from taking it. I will take it and overcome what difficulties may come on my way with courage. I think that my life mission is to build new hope.”