South Korea elects first woman president

She once played the role of first lady to her father, Park Chung-Hee, one of modern Korea’s most polarising figures – admired for dragging the country out of poverty but reviled for his ruthless suppression of dissent during an 18 year military rule.  Now 60 years old,  conservative ruling party candidate Park Geun-Hye is the first female president of South Korea.  She faces numerous challenges, including a belligerent North Korea, a slowing economy and soaring welfare costs in one of the world’s most rapidly aging societies.  Her victory is also largely seen as a vindication of her father’s rule.

Read more about Park Geun-Hye and her policy on North Korea on Rappler.