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Park Geun-hye

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Park Geun-hye was a very important leader in South Korea.

Korea 18th Presidential Inaugural 06
Korea 18th Presidential Inaugural 06

She made history by becoming the first woman elected as a head of state in East Asia. This means she was the first female president in that part of the world. She served as the 11th president of South Korea from 2013 until 2017. Before she was president, she was the first lady of the country. Her father, Park Chung Hee, was the third president of South Korea. She was born in Daegu on February 2, 1952.

KOCIS CheongWaDae Children Day 02 (8713947728)
KOCIS CheongWaDae Children Day 02 (8713947728)

Park worked hard to learn about science and politics. She went to Sogang University to study electronic engineering. She earned her bachelor's degree there in 1974. Later, she studied for a short time at a university in France. After her studies, she entered the world of government. She served many terms in the National Assembly. This is the place where leaders meet to make laws. She also led large political groups like the Grand National Party.

KOCIS Korea President Park Sejong Econ 03 (11640577615)
KOCIS Korea President Park Sejong Econ 03 (11640577615)

Her path to the presidency was full of many big moments. People gave her the nickname "Queen of Elections." This was because the political parties she led won many seats in elections. In 2006, she survived a scary attack with a knife. She needed surgery and many stitches for a wound on her face. Even after that, she stayed focused on her work. In 2012, she won the election to become president. She won with 51.6% of the votes from the people.

Park Geun-Hye meeting with Barack Obama
Park Geun-Hye meeting with Barack Obama

As president, Park met with many powerful leaders from around the world.

Park Geun-Hye meeting with Barack Obama
Park Geun-Hye meeting with Barack Obama

She met with Barack Obama from the United States. She also met with Xi Jinping from China.

She spoke with many different world leaders to discuss important things. However, her time as president ended in a difficult way. In December 2016, the National Assembly voted to impeach her. This is a process to remove a leader from office. A court agreed with this decision in March 2017.

Park Geun-hye Approval ratings by age
Park Geun-hye Approval ratings by age

After she left office, Park faced many legal problems in court. In 2018, a court sentenced her to 24 years in prison. This was for things called corruption and abuse of power. Later, her sentence was increased to 25 years. She was also found guilty of taking money from the National Intelligence Service. She was also found guilty of interfering in party elections. In 2021, President Moon Jae-in gave her a pardon. This allowed her to leave prison on December 31. She finally returned home in March 2022.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:KOCIS CheongWaDae Children Day 02 (8713947728).jpg
KOCIS CheongWaDae Children Day 02 (8713947728).jpg
File:Korea_18th_Presidential_Inaugural_06.jpg
Korea_18th_Presidential_Inaugural_06.jpg
File:KOCIS Korea President Park Sejong Econ 03 (11640577615).jpg
KOCIS Korea President Park Sejong Econ 03...
File:Park Geun-Hye meeting with Barack Obama.jpg
Park Geun-Hye meeting with Barack Obama.jpg
File:Korea China Press Conference 20130627 03.jpg
Korea China Press Conference 20130627 03.jpg
File:Korea Official Welcome Ceremony for Pope Francis 04 (14914645045).jpg
Korea Official Welcome Ceremony for Pope...
File:Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting South Korean President Park Geun-hye on the sidelines of the14th ASEAN-India Summit.jpg
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting...
File:South Korean President Park Geun-hye arrived in Iran, Mehrabad Airport, Tehran 07.jpg
South Korean President Park Geun-hye...
File:Park Geun-hye Presidential Approval Rating.svg
Park Geun-hye Presidential Approval Rating.svg
File:Park Geun-hye Approval ratings by age.svg
Park Geun-hye Approval ratings by age.svg
Responses for impeachment in South Korea...
File:KOREA_The_20th_President_Inauguration_Ceremony_531_(52063170376).jpg
KOREA_The_20th_President_Inauguration_Cere...

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