Park Geun-hye vows to fundamentally revamp politics

Rep. Park Geun-hye, the top ruling party contender for this year's presidential race, said Wednesday that if she is elected, she will fundamentally revamp Korea's inefficient politics.

Speaking at a ceremony in Seoul to mark the 38th anniversary of her mother's death, the five-term lawmaker and former interim head of the Saenuri Party, conceded that politicians have disappointed the public in the past instead of doing their jobs properly.

Park's mother, Yook Young-su, was the wife of late President Park Chung-hee who was killed by an assassin's bullet during a Liberation Day ceremony in 1974. President Park, who ruled the country for 18 years was also assassinated by his intelligence chief in 1979.

"Politics must meet the expectations of the general public and every effort must be made to live up to this goal," she stressed.

The remarks come as close aides to the lawmaker have hinted that if she wins the Dec. 19 presidential race, there will be "revolutionary" changes to the government, including powerful organizations such as the state prosecutor's office, police, tax service and the Financial Supervisory Service.

Park who is expected to clinch Saenuri's presidential ticket on Monday has received flak for the money-for-nomination scandal surrounding two party officials, including one lawmaker. Investigators are trying to determine if a close confident of Park, received 300 million won ($265,700) in exchange for giving a political aspirant a proportional representative seat ahead of the April 11 parliamentary race.

Park, meanwhile, said in a TV discussion talk show on Tuesday that she considers Elizabeth I of England as her political role model. Previously, she had said she respect her late father most.

The lawmaker said that Queen Elizabeth exercised tolerance in leading her country.

Political watchers said that Park may be trying to win broader support ahead of the presidential race since her father's legacy remains controversial in the country. Many have acknowledged his role in South Korea's spectacular economic development, but he has been roundly criticized for his authoritarian rule. (Yonhap)