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S Korea gets first woman PM
19/04/2006 13:39 - (SA)
Seoul - A former dissident, once jailed for her political activism, became South Korea's first female prime minister on Wednesday.
The South Korean parliament voted 182-77 to approve ruling party lawmaker, Han Myung-sook, for the government's No 2 spot.
Han, 62, will officially take office on Thursday.
Han was jailed for two years in the 1970s, under the country's then authoritarian government, for alleged involvement in pro-communist activities,
Her work was later recognised as part of South Korea's democratisation efforts.
South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun appointed the two-term lawmaker as prime minister last month, shortly after Lee Hae-chan stepped down from the post - following strong public and opposition criticism for playing golf rather than overseeing the government's response to a railway strike on a national holiday.
Uri Party welcomes nomination
In a meeting with ruling Uri Party lawmakers, Han said: "I am standing at this historic position as Korea's first female prime minister because of affection and support from our people, so I first give words of deep gratitude to our people."
Uri Party chairman Chung Dong-young welcomed parliamentary approval of Han's nomination: "Han has given hope to our daughters and light to our women.
"Now that you have become prime minister, it's time you gave hope and light to our men."
Endorsement of the country's first female prime minister "is rather belated, but still significant," said Lee Nae-young, a political science professor at Korea University. "It carries a symbolic meaning in that it will help expand the opportunities for women to advance into the public sector."
PM taking on more responsibility
The prime minister is a largely ceremonial job in South Korea, where power is concentrated in the president's office.
However, it has taken on greater importance now that Roh has delegated much of the authority to the prime minister on domestic affairs.
Han served as the country's first minister of gender equality and family under former South Korean president Kim Dae-jung, and is a strong advocate of women's rights.
Han is not the first woman nominated to the position, however.
The previous female nominee, Chang Sang, failed to be confirmed in 2002.
The former president of Ewha Womans University faced accusations over real estate speculation and the misrepresentation of her academic background.
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