S.Korea approves first woman Prime Minister
SOUTH KOREA: South Korea's parliament approved on Wednesday the
country's first woman prime minister, former activist Han Myeong-sook
who was once jailed for pro-democracy protests.
Analysts said they expect Han to use her position as a political
moderate to patch up a stormy relationship between the government and
opposition parties ahead of local elections in late May.
In vote of 182 to 77, the unicameral parliament approved Han, who was
first elected to parliament in 2000 and has since served as the
environment minister and gender equality minister.
Han, 61, replaces veteran legislator Lee Hae-chan, who was considered
one of the most powerful prime ministers in the country's history. Lee
quit last month after criticism for playing golf while a railway strike
caused transport chaos.
South Korean prime ministers have been largely figureheads under
strong presidents, although President Roh Moo-hyun gave Lee sweeping
power on domestic policy.
It was not clear whether Han would command similar authority.
In parliamentary hearings prior to the vote, Han said the government
would urge communist North Korea to be more forthcoming on the question
of South Korean abductees in the North, but stressed it was important to
let the North open up before reforms can take hold there.Seoul,
Wednesday, Reuters. |