Park Geun-hye’s Early life and career
Park was born in Daegu, South Korea, on February 2, 1952. Her father, Park Chung-hee, was the president of South Korea from 1961 to 1979. In 1974, her mother was killed in a failed assassination attempt against her father. Five years later, her father was assassinated by the head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA).
Park Geun-hye studied at Sogang University in Seoul, where she received a degree in engineering. In 1998, she was elected to the National Assembly, South Korea’s parliament. She served in the National Assembly for 10 years, during which time she focused on issues such as education, welfare, and national security.
Presidential campaign and election
In 2012, Park Geun-hye ran for president of South Korea. She was the candidate of the conservative Saenuri Party. Her opponent was Moon Jae-in, the candidate of the Democratic Party.
Park Geun-hye won the election with 51.6% of the vote. She became the first woman to be elected president of South Korea, and also the first female president popularly elected as head of state in East Asia.
Presidency
Park Geun-hye’s presidency was marked by a number of challenges, including the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster, the 2016 North Korean nuclear test, and the 2017 impeachment.
In 2014, the Sewol ferry sank off the coast of South Korea, killing more than 300 people, mostly students. Park Geun-hye was criticized for her handling of the disaster, which was seen as slow and ineffective.
In 2016, North Korea conducted a nuclear test, which led to increased tensions between North Korea and South Korea. Park Geun-hye implemented a number of measures to counter the North Korean threat, including increasing military spending and strengthening sanctions.
In 2017, Park Geun-hye was impeached by the South Korean National Assembly on charges of corruption and abuse of power. She was subsequently convicted of these charges and sentenced to 24 years in prison.
Legacy
Park Geun-hye’s presidency was a controversial one. She was a polarizing figure, with both supporters and detractors.
Her supporters praised her for her strong leadership and her commitment to national security. They also credited her with helping to improve the South Korean economy.
Her detractors criticized her for her handling of the Sewol ferry disaster, her response to the North Korean nuclear threat, and her corruption charges.
Park Geun-hye’s legacy is still being debated. However, there is no doubt that she was a significant figure in South Korean history. She was the first woman to be elected president of South Korea, and she played a key role in shaping the country’s future.
Conclusion
Park Geun-hye was a complex and controversial figure. She was a strong leader who made significant contributions to South Korea, but she was also plagued by scandal and controversy. Her legacy will continue to be debated for years to come.
