Dictator's daughter elected as first female president
Wednesday 19 December 2012
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EmailRight-wing candidate Park Geun Hye was elected South Korea's first female president today.
Ms Park - the daughter of former dictator Park Chung Hee - narrowly defeated Democratic United Party contender Moon Jae In, a former human rights lawyer and the son of refugees from North Korea.
She will replace current President Lee Myung Bak, who is also from her Saenuri Party, in February, and has - like Mr Moon - pledged a less confrontational approach to relations with the North.
But opponents say Ms Park will "struggle to heal the past" as many South Koreans remember the brutality of her father's 18-year rule, which came to a bloody end when he was shot dead by his own spy chief at a drinking party.
Moon supporter Yoon Yeo Joon has slammed her as an "imperial candidate" who openly models herself on English queen Elizabeth I and whose election is an unwelcome step towards the dynastic model of government in North Korea.
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