Person of Interest: Park Geun-hey

Soon after her inauguration on February 25, 2013, newly-elected Korean President Park Geun-hey had  to face a tough crisis in dealing with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Rising tensions on the Korean peninsula were focused on the DPRK’s nuclear and missile programs. Analysists suggested that after some initial mis-steps in her administration, Park rose to the challenge of her new office and successfully dealt with the heightened tensions and threats of war.

 According to her website, the goal of the Park administration’s domestic agenda is to “open a new era of hope and happiness for all people.” She has also tasked her government with dealing with four “major evils” :

•  Sexual violence
• Domestic violence
• School violence
• Unsafe food

 Park, 61, is the daughter of Korean president Park Chung-hee, who held the office from 1963 until his assassination in 1979. She graduated in 1974 with a degree in electronic engineering from Sogang University. After her mother’s death she acted as First Lady and assisted her father with his presidential duties.

Along the way to the presidency, Park Geun-hey received several honorary doctorates, including an honorary doctorate in literature from the Chinese Culture University in Taipei, Taiwan. Park, the author of several books, is also said to be fluent in Mandarin Chinese. Park’s political career began in 1998. She served four terms in the Korea National Assembly from 1998-2012. She was chair of the Grand National Party from 2004-2006.  In 2012 she was elected president.

Republic of Korea Presidential website: http://english.president.go.kr/main.php