South Korea gets first woman prime minister

South Korea gets first woman prime minister

A feminist lawmaker is to become South Korea's first ever woman prime minister, the president's office announced on Friday.

President Roh Moo-Hyun decided to nominate Han Myung-Sook, a lawmaker from the ruling Uri Party, for the vacant post, a presidential official told the agency.

"Han Myung-Sook was appointed prime minister today," said presidential secretariat chief Lee Byung-Wan. The appointment is subject to parliamentary approval.

Two-term lawmaker Han, 61, served as minister of gender equality in 2001 and environment minister in 2003.

She was nominated to the top cabinet post ahead of Kim Byong-Joon, a former politics professor, who is currently serving as policy planner on Roh's presidential staff.

The post of prime minister was vacated last week by Lee Hae-Chan, who stepped down in disgrace after apologising for playing golf on March 1, the first day of a crippling national railway strike.

Lee was criticized for failing to help resolve the strike and also for his choice of golf partners.

One of the businessmen had a criminal record.

Golf, which has gained popularity in South Korea, is still regarded as a sport for the privileged with golf club membership seen as a ticket to acceptance among the social elite.

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In some countries, one little disgrace and disrespect could effectively force one to take responsible to the thing he did by paying its price. Like story above. But in many countries, one shown no graceful nor respect and keep the country paying the price for him. Like one I am here. Contrary enough to be one of the reasons why developing country is always developing. Never been developed. T_T~