South Korean Parliament Approves First Woman Premier
Bloomberg
April 19 (Bloomberg) -- South Korean lawmakers approved the nomination of Han Myeong Sook, 62, to the post of prime minister, making her the country's first woman premier.
The National Assembly voted 182 to 77 for her nomination, approving Han, a member of the ruling Uri Party, to become the highest-ranking woman in political office in Korea. There were three abstentions and two votes were invalidated.
``I hope she can play a role in improving long-ignored rights for the weak part of society, including women,'' said Park Young Sun, a member of the ruling Uri Party. ``She's very mild- tempered, which will help foster a social unity and avoid conflicts with opposition parties.''
Imprisoned as a social activist for two years from 1979 for reading socialism-related books when the country was under a military dictatorship, the Pyongyang-born Han is a leader of Korea's women's movement. She was the country's first minister of gender equality and family in 2001 and later also served as an environment minister.
South Korea's President Roh Moo Hyun named Han to replace Lee Hae Chan, who resigned as premier on March 14 after playing golf instead of performing official duties. Known by the nickname of ``gentle charisma,'' Han is a stark departure from the style of her predecessor Lee, who shouted back at lawmakers during plenary sessions at the National Assembly.
`Victory of Democracy'
``It's a victory of democracy in Korea,'' said Kim Woo Sang, a politics professor at Yonsei University in Seoul. ``There are a lot of urgent tasks for her to deal with. On an economic front, she needs to elicit a public consent on free trade with the United States, and she also needs to show her diplomatic excellency in relation to conflicts with Japan over disputed islets.''
Han studied French literature and language at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, where she received a master's degree in women's studies. She also has a master's in theology from Hanshin University in Osan, Gyeonggi province. She is married to a theology professor and has a son who is serving in the military.
The premier is a lesser post than that of the president, and is primarily charged with running Cabinet meetings, government administration and crisis management.
April 19 (Bloomberg) -- South Korean lawmakers approved the nomination of Han Myeong Sook, 62, to the post of prime minister, making her the country's first woman premier.
The National Assembly voted 182 to 77 for her nomination, approving Han, a member of the ruling Uri Party, to become the highest-ranking woman in political office in Korea. There were three abstentions and two votes were invalidated.
``I hope she can play a role in improving long-ignored rights for the weak part of society, including women,'' said Park Young Sun, a member of the ruling Uri Party. ``She's very mild- tempered, which will help foster a social unity and avoid conflicts with opposition parties.''
Imprisoned as a social activist for two years from 1979 for reading socialism-related books when the country was under a military dictatorship, the Pyongyang-born Han is a leader of Korea's women's movement. She was the country's first minister of gender equality and family in 2001 and later also served as an environment minister.
South Korea's President Roh Moo Hyun named Han to replace Lee Hae Chan, who resigned as premier on March 14 after playing golf instead of performing official duties. Known by the nickname of ``gentle charisma,'' Han is a stark departure from the style of her predecessor Lee, who shouted back at lawmakers during plenary sessions at the National Assembly.
`Victory of Democracy'
``It's a victory of democracy in Korea,'' said Kim Woo Sang, a politics professor at Yonsei University in Seoul. ``There are a lot of urgent tasks for her to deal with. On an economic front, she needs to elicit a public consent on free trade with the United States, and she also needs to show her diplomatic excellency in relation to conflicts with Japan over disputed islets.''
Han studied French literature and language at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, where she received a master's degree in women's studies. She also has a master's in theology from Hanshin University in Osan, Gyeonggi province. She is married to a theology professor and has a son who is serving in the military.
The premier is a lesser post than that of the president, and is primarily charged with running Cabinet meetings, government administration and crisis management.
posted by Unknown | 6:50 AM
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