nine years pass...
I'd worry less about her dad, which seems to be the focus of western coverage, and more about her blankness when it comes to actual policies. She reminds me more of GW Bush than any other politician, and part of that is her poor speaking skills.
Anyway in terms of what she's actually said she comes off as a moderate conservative, with focus on welfare and more economic democracy, but it's anyone's guess what will actually come out of that. She seems elected on face value. The problem is the country needs change, aggressive solutions to low birthrate via gender unequal work sphere, and this woman is likely to preserve status quo instead.
The election was a big fuck-up from the opposition as their potential supporters didn't even know who'd be the presidential candidate until weeks before election day. The charismatic independent Ahn crashed out after infighting with Moon and only half-heartedly supported him in the final days of election in hopes of a regime change. No wonder Park seemed like a safe, solid rock in comparison.
The twist here is the voter turnout was great - but shifting demographics show how much power the growing 60+ population has. Youth still voted in favor of Moon but there are too many senior citizens and they lean conservative. Women actually leaned in favor of Park as well, according to exit polls - which shows how great a candidate she was for the thought-to-be struggling Saenuri party. Hopefully all candidates are female next time.
The sitting president is very unpopular and he leaves a legacy of petty crimes against democracy, like his corrupted close circle at the Blue House and his overly friendly relationship with extremely unpopular heads of national broadcasters. If nothing else I hope some of these people just go away with a new boss in town.
My personal sadness is that human rights issues are likely to be ignored for another five years. Laws protecting sexual minorities, the fight against the abortion ban and related causes are left undefended. The recently implemented student's rights ordinance in Seoul is likely to be overturned because a conservative chief of education was elected as well. Lots of frustrated right's groups on twitter.
Seoul elected a very liberal mayor last year and probably put too many in the opposition camp at ease. The legislative election this spring was similarly tragic for the apparent liberal favorites. This tops it off and should get people in that camp seriously thinking.
― abcfsk, Wednesday, 19 December 2012 23:21 (thirteen years ago)
That was a series of unorganized ranting, but hey, it's election day.
― abcfsk, Wednesday, 19 December 2012 23:22 (thirteen years ago)
thank you for that, abcfsk
― 乒乓, Thursday, 20 December 2012 14:40 (thirteen years ago)