After winning the Dec. 19 presidential election on the ticket of the conservative Saenuri Party, Park recalled that during campaigns, she promised to become a president who endeavors to improve the people‘s livelihood, keeps promises without fail and achieves grand unity of the nation.
She defeated Moon Jae-in, contender of the main opposition Democratic United Party in a tightly contest race.
In her speech at Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, the 60-year-old said; "I will become a president who keeps my promises to the people."
She thanked her supporters for the trust they showed her during campaigns. "This election was a victory for you, the people,” she said.
Park is the eldest daughter of Park Chung-hee, who led an authoitarian government from 1961 to 1979 until he was assassinated by his intelligence chief, Kim Jae-kyu, in October 1979. He lifted the country out of poverty but was also criticized for his iron fist rule. Her father, a former Army general, took power in a 1961 coup. Her mother, Yook Young-su, had also been killed in 1974 by a pro-North Korean gunman who aimed at her father.
She served as the first lady after her mother's assassination. She is unmarried and has no children.
She will enter Cheong Wa Dae on FEb. 25 for a five-year term.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com