Park Geun-Hye Elected as South Korea’s First Female President

For the first time in the history of South Korea, a female president is elected to office. Park Geun-Hye was recently sworn in as president of this country before thousands of followers while vowing to undertake tougher measures in addressing national security and reviving the nation’s economy.

Park, 61 years old, won over liberal opponent Moon Jae-in during the election that took place in December 2012. Her predecessor, President Lee Myung-bak had come down his post after serving the allowed five years in office. Lee is also a member of Park’s political group, the Saenuri Party. Park is the daughter of Park Chung-Hee, former South Korea military officer for almost 20 years.

Challenges for the new regime

The new president faces various challenges that resulted from the sluggish development of South Korea as its expenditures kept soaring over the years. The country has one of the highest number of ageing population in the world.

One of the serious issues that Park is bent to focus on is North Korea’s nuclear stance. Park has called on the Pyongyang capital to halt its nuclear weapon tests and to quickly turn its back on its nuclear agenda. She extended an invitation as well for the regime to be part of the international community once again.
In her statement, the newly sworn in President said that the recent nuclear test was a challenge to the Korean people’s survival and future, and that there should be no mistake that the greatest victim would be none other than North Korea itself.

Trust policy

Park has made a solid vow to continue pursuing South Korea’s trust policy with North Korea as she pledged in her campaign platform not to tolerate any action that would threaten the lives of the people and the nation’s security. She emphasized to move forward in steps based on credible deterrence.
The latest nuclear test conducted by North Korea, according to Park, challenged the lives of Koreans from both sides. She added that the security condition of her people as well as those in Pyongyang are in serious peril due to the tenacious stand of North Korean government in maintaining its nuclear arms. Park officially assumed office as South Korea’s highest leader while North Korea was getting ready for another nuclear test last February 12.

Rebuilding the economy

Most part of Park’s inaugural speech was centered on the nation’s economy. She made commitments to create more jobs, extend welfare benefits and democratize the economy to bridge the gap between the poor and wealthy. The president expressed optimism that she will be able to take the nation to a spiral move towards economic recovery. She mentioned that the country must aspire beyond the old fashioned manufacturing industry by creating new opportunities for the working class. Park hopes to further develop science and technology that she said lie at the very heart of a creative economy and that she has marked the IT industry as her key priority.

Park has also promised fair play by encouraging equal market share among huge, small and medium business groups in South Korea.