My father was criticized as a dictator, but that should not overshadow his accomplishments in restructuring the country. He brought Korea out of 5,000 years of poverty. What he left unaccomplished was democratization of the system.
I know more than anyone the divergent views about my father.
I know more than anyone the divergent views about my father. I want to be judged on my own merits.
I will try to work for greater reconciliation, cooperation and peace in North East Asia based on correct perception of history.
National partition is a sorrow that touches all Koreans, but for me it is brought to the fore by unimaginable personal suffering.
We need fundamental change. In the past, national development led to people's happiness but now the link between national growth and improvement in people's lives has been severed.
All facts prove that the Saenuri Party is a group of traitors who stoop to any infamy to realize its ambition to seize power.
I will keep the promise I made to you to open a new era on the Korean peninsula, based on strong security and trust-based diplomacy.
We should change the current economic system dominated by big business groups to a one where small and medium-sized enterprises develop together.
I will open an era of grand national unity.
I will be the president of the nation who keeps pledges.
I couldn't stand back and watch the strong economy that my father envisioned go to ruins.
I believe that it is an unchanging value of democracy that ends cannot justify the means in politics.
