She has also served as a leader of the Saenuri Party (formerly known as the Grand National Party). In 2006, an assailant slashed her face as she was campaigning on behalf of the GNP’s candidate in Seoul’s mayoral election.
双亲去世后，朴槿惠多年内都避免在政治上过于活跃，但随后，她赢得了一个议会席位。她还成为新国家党（即前大国家党）领导人。2006年，在担任大国家党候选人竞选首尔市长的竞选活动中，朴槿惠遇袭，脸部被划伤。