In many countries around the world women are revered and looked upon as major assets to the success of that country. And although such may be the case it is still difficult to find information on these women. Who they are, their educational background, their political and religious affiliations and so on. Even though we know these women are out there and do truly exist, why is it that we don't know their names, faces or even what they stand for?

 

After careful consideration and research, recognizing and understanding the importance of women's roles around the globe, as well as in Korea, is important to truly understanding the totality of the human condition.  To understand a society's culture is to understand all fundamental factors that create that society. This includes gender roles, political structure, and culture.

 Taking for granted our gender roles are something that we do too often; however, knowing what those roles imply is only a task taken on by those who are truly interested in the movement and success of the entire human race, regardless of gender or sex.

 This is a big year for South Korea, the 5 year Presidential term is coming to an end and elections are approaching on December 19, 2007. It is as an equally important year for the progression of women in politics as their role as leaders are becoming more widely accepted by the constituents. This election period, Korea's long line of men-only presidential candidates has been interrupted, by not only one, but two women candidates who ran for presidency for the first time in Korean history.

 The first candidate, Han Myeong-sook served as prime minister for almost a year until she quit in March. Analysts said she was seen as a long shot in the elections even though she emerged unscathed from her stint in the government of the unpopular President Roh Moo-hyun. Before she became the Prime Minister of South Korea, Han was imprisoned from 1979-1981 after she confessed to teaching pro-Communist ideas to workers, farmers and low income women, but it is now accepted that she was in fact imprisoned for pro-Democratic activities. She was exonerated of any wrong doing in 2001 when a government committee ruled that her confession was elicited through torture. Han was the first Minister of Gender Equality and also served as Minister of Environment. She graduated from Ewha Women's University of Seoul with a degree in French Literature.                                                                          
 
 The second candidate, Park Geun-hye, is the daughter of an authoritarian president who was assassinated by his own spy chief. Park is running as a candidate for the main conservative Grand National Party (GNP), but was beat out by the popular, former Seoul mayor Lee Myun-bak. She was born on February 2, 1952 in Daegu, and received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Sogang University. She also obtained her doctoral degree from Chinese Culture University in Taiwan. Park is a member of the National Assembly, and is now in her third parliamentary term.                                                                                                                    

 Although both parties have been eliminated from the race in the primary rounds, the fact that they generated enough support to make it as far as they did in the presidential race is an accomplishment in and of itself. It's hard to imagine how many people it takes to create such a huge step in the evolution of one society. It is amazing to know that people are finally beginning to realize the capabilities of women as leaders of the masses.

 Being a Women's studies Minor I have become well versed in international women's issues; however, to witness this remarkable phenomenon can only be described as, meaningful first hand experience.  

bianca williams <biancal_w@yahoo.com>