Abandon nuclear ambitions
South Korea's first female President tells North:
SOUTH KOREA: Park Geun-Hye became South Korea's first female
President Monday, vowing zero tolerance with North Korean provocation
and demanding Pyongyang "abandon its nuclear ambitions" immediately.
As leader of Asia's fourth-largest economy, Park, the 61-year-old
daughter of late military strongman Park Chung-Hee, faces challenges of
slowing growth and soaring welfare costs in one of the world's most
rapidly ageing societies.
Taking the oath of office less than two weeks after North Korea
carried out its third nuclear test, Park called on the regime in
Pyongyang to "abandon its nuclear ambitions without delay" and rejoin
the international community.
"North Korea's recent nuclear test is a challenge to the survival and
future of the Korean people, and there should be no mistake that the
biggest victim will be none other than North Korea itself," she said.
"I will not tolerate any action that threatens the lives of our
people and the security of our nation," Park said, while promising to
pursue the trust-building policy with Pyongyang that she had promised in
her campaign.
"I will move forward step by step on the basis of credible
deterrence," she added.
Observers say her options will be limited by the international outcry
over the North's February 12 nuclear test, which has emboldened the
hawks in her ruling conservative party who oppose closer engagement.
Monday's two-and-a-half hour inauguration ceremony, held on a chilly
and cloudy morning, included a musical warm-up concert that saw Korean
rapper Psy perform his global hit "Gangnam Style".
Park took office a little more than 50 years after her father, seized
power in a military coup.
Park Chung-Hee He ruled with an iron fist for the next 18 years until
his assassination, and remains a divisive figure -- credited with
dragging the country out of poverty but reviled for his regime's human
rights abuses.
AFP
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