SEOUL,KOREA—On Monday, four challenging contenders knelt when the party‘s former leader Geun-hye Park kept them far at bay at the ruling Saenuri Party's national convention, and It was far enough to cement her record victory over them. Rivalry did not exist. Rep. Park was heavily favored to become the presidential candidate with 84 percent of votes. Former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Tae-ho Kim yielded to a wide gap with 8.7 percent, while three other candidates trailed further behind.
The five-way contest was about to end. When the ruling party pronounced her name, it was the moment for Rep. Park. After a momentary pause, she smiled while shaking hands with the other candidates who promised full support after conceding their defeat. When her acceptance speech was over, most of the audience did not bother to stay for relayed speeches from the remaining four.
During an interview, the presidential candidate said her biggest enemy is a struggle within herself, and she hoped, “It would be an opportunity for me to achieve my parents’ unfulfilled dream which is ushering in a new nation where people can live with happiness and hope”. “My public image of being stubborn is a direct result of the deliberate stigmatization from some people who keep making things up,"continued Rep. Park,"I enjoy communicating with the youth: a very lively and responsive conversation.”
Upon embracing the first female president in Korea, “My answer is yes. A lot of people supported me at the national convention.” As to the recent scandal, Park says she “is ready to apologize if the investigation says so.” For presidency, a two-way race seems to be brewing between the ruling party's candidate and Mr. Cheol-soo Ahn who has been silent regarding his future in politics, however, she refused to comment on her most viable opponent.
Amid the Money-for-Nomination scandal that tainted her party’s public image, Former Chairwoman Rep. Park has been under growing pressure from within. Meanwhile, IT mogul Cheol-soo Ahn is poised to gain momentum by publishing his latest book.
The 61 year-old presidential candidate is the oldest daughter of the late president Chung-hee Park who was assassinated by a pro North Korea agent. South Korea has never had a female president. And she is the first woman who has been nominated to contest for the top post.
