Park Geun-hye Elected First Female President of South Korea

Park_Geun-hye (Photo credit: Prachatai)

South Korea has its first female leader after conservative candidate Park Geun-hye claimed victory Wednesday in that nations presidential election.

Addressing crowds in Seoul’s central Gwanghwamun Square, Park said her win was a victory for the people.

“I will be the president of the nation who keeps pledges,” she said. “This is considered a victory for people who want to overcome crisis and revive the economy. I will never forget the will of the people who believed in me wherever I went during the election campaign.

“I will start an era of happiness in the nation.”

Her rival, liberal candidate Moon Jae-in of the Democratic United Party, conceded victory, according to South Korean network YTN.

South Korea’s outgoing President Lee Myung-bak congratulated Park on her win, which comes at a time of rising economic anxiety for the nation. The result has not yet been confirmed by the country’s National Election Commission.

President Barack Obama issued an official statement on Wednesday about the election. “I congratulate President-elect Park Geun-hye on her success in the election held on Wednesday. I look forward to working closely with the Park Administration to further enhance our extensive cooperation with the Republic of Korea on a wide range of important bilateral, regional and global issues. The U.S.-ROK alliance serves as a lynchpin of peace and security in the Asia Pacificand our two nations share a global partnership with deep economic, security, and people-to-people ties. I also wish to reiterate my admiration for all that President Lee has done to strengthen U.S.-ROK relations and promote a Global Korea,” Obama stated.