South Korea President Park Geun-hye First Female

2007)

President of the Republic of Korea
Presidential Seal
Presidential Standard;
Park in May 2011 President of South Korea Elect Taking office 25 February 2013 Succeeding Lee Myung-bak Leader of the Grand National Party In office 23 March 2004 – 10 July 2006 Preceded by Choe Byeong-ryeol Succeeded by Kang Jae-sup First Lady of South Korea In office 16 August 1974 – 26 October 1979 President Park Chung-hee Preceded by Yuk Young-soo Succeeded by Hong Gi Member of the National Assembly In office 30 May 2012 – 10 December 2012 Constituency Proportional Representation No. 11 In office 3 April 1998 – 29 May 2012 Preceded by Kim Suk-won Succeeded by Lee Jong-jin Constituency Dalseong Personal details Born (1952-02-02) 2 February 1952 (age 60) Daegu, South Korea Political party Saenuri Party Alma mater Sogang University University of Grenoble Religion None[1] Flag
Residence	Blue House, Seoul
Appointer	Direct popular vote
Term length	Five years not renewable
Inaugural holder	Syngman Rhee July 24, 1948
Website	(English) english.president.go.kr (Korean) president.go.kr

The President of the Republic of Korea (대한민국의 대통령; 大韓民國大統領) is, according to the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, chief executive of the government, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and the head of state of the Republic of Korea. The Constitution and the amended Presidential Election Act of 1987 provide for election of the president by direct, secret ballot, ending sixteen years of indirect presidential elections under the preceding two governments. The President is directly elected to a five-year term with no possibility of re-election.^[1] If a presidential vacancy should occur, a successor must be elected within sixty days, during which time presidential duties are to be performed by the prime minister or other senior cabinet members in the order of priority as determined by law. While in office, the chief executive lives in Cheong Wa Dae and is exempt from criminal liability except for insurrection or treason.

Since February 25, 2008, Lee Myung-Bak (pronounced /ˌliː ˌmjʌŋ ˈbɑːk/, Korean: [i mjʌŋbak̚]; born 19 December 1941) has been the incumbent president, but will soon relinquish the office to Park Geun-Hye, who has been elected the 18th President of South Korea. Park will be South Korea's first female president.

Park describes herself as an atheist. Although she received a baptismal name while she attended Sogang University in Seoul several decades ago, her aides said she does not attend Sunday services.

They said the daughter of the late President Park Chung-hee has a strong bond with Buddhists due to the influence of her late mother, Yook Young-soo, who was a pious Buddhist. The aides added that she is also close to several prominent Protestants.

Because of this background, some analysts say Park is de facto affiliated with the three key religions and this would help her relationship with Buddhists during her presidential campaigns.

According to a 2005 survey, Buddhists make up 22.8 percent of the population, followed by Protestants with 18.3 percent and Catholics with 10.9 percent.

Incumbent President Lee Myung-bak, former President Kim Young-sam and Lee Hoi-chang, who ran unsuccessfully in presidential elections on the Grand National Party (now the Saenuri Party) ticket twice in 1997 and 2002, had difficulty in handling a backlash from Buddhists.

They alleged that the two Protestant Presidents chose Cabinet ministers based on religion, saying those who attended Protestant churches were favored in reshuffles. Both Lee and Kim denied the allegation, saying nominations for key government posts were made based on merit.

In a Korea Institute for Religious Freedom survey in 2007, former President Kim was depicted as the most biased leader.

Lee Hoi-chang, who attended a Catholic church, also faced criticism from Buddhists during the presidential campaigns.

In September 1997, Lee drew the ire of Buddhists for his remarks that the rule of holding state exams on Sunday made it difficult for Protestant or Catholic applicants to take the test as they had to miss their Sunday worship. He vowed to reconsider the policy, if elected president.

Buddhists said changing the state-exam rule to favor Christians was discrimination against people having different religions such as Buddhists, urging Lee to offer an apology for his remarks.

Unlike them, the late former President Kim Dae-jung had no major problems with Buddhists during the presidential campaign as well as in office.

Some alleged the late Kim’s family’s unique religious background could have helped him avoid any major clashes during his political career.

Kim was a Protestant, his wife Lee Hee-ho attended a Catholic church, while his eldest son is a Buddhist.