By Jun Ji-hye
President Park Geun-hye's historic inauguration produced some meaningful numbers. The following speak volumes about the significance of the inauguration ceremony.
1
This was the inauguration of the first female president in the nation's history. To celebrate this, many female leaders around the world, including Yingluck Shinawatra, prime minister of Thailand, and Michelle Bachelet, executive director of U.N. Women and the former president of Chile, attended the ceremony.
It was also the first ceremony managed by an independent medium-sized company, Yonhanaro Communications. Previously, a large-sized advertizing affiliate of a conglomerate was in charge of managing the event.
3.1
The inauguration cost 3.1 billion won ($2.8 million), the amount reflecting inflation as it was up 24 percent compared to the 2.5 billion won for President Lee Myung-bak's ceremony five years ago.
6
This was the sixth ceremony held at the National Assembly plaza in Yeouido. Former President Roh Tae-woo was first to use the square for his inauguration in 1988.
Park's father, late President Park Chung-hee, was inaugurated five times with three ceremonies at the old Capitol Building in Gwanghwamun in 1963, 1967 and 1971 and two at Jangchung Gymnasium in 1972 and 1978.
The ceremony for Chun Doo-hwan took place at the Jamsil Gymnasium in 1980.
18
To mark Korea's 18th president, 18 participants were chosen in consideration from all regions and walks of life for the Bosingak bell-ringing ceremony at midnight Sunday. Kim Yong-man, the great grandson of Kim Koo, a late leader of the Korean independence movement during the Japanese occupation, and Yang Hak-seon, a Korean gymnast who won the gold medal in the men's vault at the London Olympics, participated in the event.
100
One hundred public representatives were chosen to march and appear on stage with Park at the main ceremony. Among them were Seok Hae-kyun, the captain of Samho Jewelry who returned home after being shot multiple times following the capture of his ship by Somali pirates, and Cho Gwang-rae, head of the Naro space project at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
365
Right after the ceremony at the National Assembly ended, Park moved to Gwanghwamun and opened 365 "lucky bags" containing the public's wishes that were posted on the presidential transition team's website. She recited the messages and stressed she will fulfill those wishes.
1,400
This inauguration was a star-studded event with 1,400 performers taking part. They included K-pop sensation Psy; trot star Jang Yoon-jung; the KBS "Gag Concert" cast; world famous soprano Jo Su-mi; baritone Choi Hyun-soo; "pansori" (traditional Korean narrative song) virtuoso Kim Young-im; and "samulnori" (traditional percussion art) master Kim Duk-soo and his troupe.
President Park Geun-hye's historic inauguration produced some meaningful numbers. The following speak volumes about the significance of the inauguration ceremony.
1
This was the inauguration of the first female president in the nation's history. To celebrate this, many female leaders around the world, including Yingluck Shinawatra, prime minister of Thailand, and Michelle Bachelet, executive director of U.N. Women and the former president of Chile, attended the ceremony.
It was also the first ceremony managed by an independent medium-sized company, Yonhanaro Communications. Previously, a large-sized advertizing affiliate of a conglomerate was in charge of managing the event.
3.1
The inauguration cost 3.1 billion won ($2.8 million), the amount reflecting inflation as it was up 24 percent compared to the 2.5 billion won for President Lee Myung-bak's ceremony five years ago.
6
This was the sixth ceremony held at the National Assembly plaza in Yeouido. Former President Roh Tae-woo was first to use the square for his inauguration in 1988.
Park's father, late President Park Chung-hee, was inaugurated five times with three ceremonies at the old Capitol Building in Gwanghwamun in 1963, 1967 and 1971 and two at Jangchung Gymnasium in 1972 and 1978.
The ceremony for Chun Doo-hwan took place at the Jamsil Gymnasium in 1980.
18
To mark Korea's 18th president, 18 participants were chosen in consideration from all regions and walks of life for the Bosingak bell-ringing ceremony at midnight Sunday. Kim Yong-man, the great grandson of Kim Koo, a late leader of the Korean independence movement during the Japanese occupation, and Yang Hak-seon, a Korean gymnast who won the gold medal in the men's vault at the London Olympics, participated in the event.
100
One hundred public representatives were chosen to march and appear on stage with Park at the main ceremony. Among them were Seok Hae-kyun, the captain of Samho Jewelry who returned home after being shot multiple times following the capture of his ship by Somali pirates, and Cho Gwang-rae, head of the Naro space project at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI).
365
Right after the ceremony at the National Assembly ended, Park moved to Gwanghwamun and opened 365 "lucky bags" containing the public's wishes that were posted on the presidential transition team's website. She recited the messages and stressed she will fulfill those wishes.
1,400
This inauguration was a star-studded event with 1,400 performers taking part. They included K-pop sensation Psy; trot star Jang Yoon-jung; the KBS "Gag Concert" cast; world famous soprano Jo Su-mi; baritone Choi Hyun-soo; "pansori" (traditional Korean narrative song) virtuoso Kim Young-im; and "samulnori" (traditional percussion art) master Kim Duk-soo and his troupe.
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