Seoul (Fides Service) - The president of South Korea Roh Moo Hyun has appointed Premier 62 year old Mrs Han Myung Sook, former minister for equal opportunities. Now parliament will be called to give her a vote of confidence as head of government instead of Lee Hae Chan. If, as it is expected, the assembly will vote in her favour, Mrs Han Myung Sook will be South Korea’s first woman prime minister.
A statement issued by the president’s office said Mrs Han Myung Sook has spent the last 30 years of her political activity promoting respect for the rights of women and the poor. The former Prime Minister Lee Hae Chan resigned last week under increasing pressure from public opinion following a national strike.
In the recent stages of the country’s social and political life Korean Catholics have said they will continue to work for the good of society at the service of values, education and solidarity. Among commitments expressed by Archbishop Nicolas Cheong-Jin-Suk of Seoul, presently in Rome to receive his Cardinal’s hat, a priority was achieving reconciliation between South and North Korea. The Cardinal and the whole Catholic community have at heart the future of Korea.
(Agenzia Fides 24/3/2006 righe 24 parole 243)