"I Want to Apologize to Park Geun-hye Before I Die"... Choi Seo-won Releases Handwritten Letter

Choi's Daughter Jung Yura Shares Letter on Social Media

"I Never Once Considered Betrayal During My 11 Years in Prison"

Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil), a key figure in the Park Geun-hye administration's state affairs manipulation scandal, has released a handwritten letter expressing her longing for and regret toward former President Park Geun-hye.

On July 9, Choi's daughter, Jung Yura, posted a photo of the letter and a message on her Facebook page. In the letter, Choi began by saying, "I always worry about how you are doing," and added, "Watching you campaign for the June 3 local elections, I could really feel the passage of time. You seem physically different from before, which makes me concerned." She continued, "I was released for three months on a suspension of sentence execution to undergo surgery, as I am suffering from severe spinal inflammation and a herniated disc," providing an update on her condition.

Handwritten letter by Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil). Screenshot from Jung Yura's Facebook page.

Choi also expressed her apologies for causing distress to the former president through a recent interview with a media outlet. She explained, "Although I have become someone who regrets ever being close to her unintentionally, all the countless accusations and retrials were solely for the president, who was the only person to grant me her presence." She went on to say, "Before I die, I wanted to meet her and convey my apology and ask for forgiveness, but now that I am old and sick, it seems unlikely we will ever meet again," adding, "I always miss and worry about her." Choi continued, "I pray that, through retrials and lawsuits while I am still alive, even a small part of her honor can be restored," and emphasized, "Even during my 11 years of imprisonment, I have never once considered betraying her."

Choi explained her decision to grant the media interview, saying, "I was desperate, fearing I might be kicked out of the hospital due to mounting medical bills," and added, "Seeing my daughter struggling, unable to cope with ten years' worth of indemnity claims and medical expenses amounting to tens of millions of won, was my last act of desperation." She expressed her pain, saying, "I live with the guilt that none of this would have happened if I hadn't met the president," and stressed, "My feelings for former President Park will not change until the moment I die."

On the same day, her daughter Jung also posted a message defending her mother. Jung stated, "We have never resented or criticized former President Park, not even for a moment. We always live with a sense of regret." She continued, "My mother has spent ten years in prison and is not only unfamiliar with the current situation but is also unaccustomed to society," adding, "I blame myself for not taking care of her, using raising my child as an excuse." Jung shared that her mother has always told her, "She is not guilty. Never hold any resentment," and added, "I am also deeply sorry for causing concern."

Choi Seo-won (formerly Choi Soon-sil)

In June 2020, Choi was sentenced to 18 years in prison, a fine of 20 billion won, and the forfeiture of 6.3 billion won, after being convicted of abuse of power and bribery, among other charges. She has been serving her sentence at Cheongju Women's Prison. During her imprisonment, she suffered a spinal injury in a fall and underwent surgery. In early June, she was temporarily released after being granted a suspension of sentence execution to receive treatment for an infection at the site of her spinal fracture surgery.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.