#180, Geun-hye
Last Friday, former president Park Geun-hye was sentenced to 24 years in prison. Central to the scandal was her relationship with Choi Soon-sil. The two were longtime friends and accused of collecting and demanding bribes from three large businesses, including Samsung, one of Korea's most powerful corporations. At age 66, Ms. Park will not be freed from prison until she is 90.
Park Geun-hye's election to the presidency was rather remarkable. Daughter of former dictator Park Chung-hee, she grew up in the Blue House and lived through her mother and father's assassinations. She never married and lived a solitary life. Add to this South Korea's significant gender inequality gap and it's rather curious she was elected.
Though her presidency could hardly be considered successful, she was South Korea's first ever female President. What can we learn from her story?
To complete this Journal response,
- What lessons can be learned from Park Geun-hye's downfall?
- Comment on a peer's response.
-Brenden Lee Teacher