Ruling party names spokeswoman for foreign press

Korea's ruling Saenuri Party on Friday named the British-Korean head of a public relations company to be its spokeswoman for the foreign press ahead of December's presidential election.

Margaret Frances Key, who has headed Burson-Marsteller Korea since May, is a graduate of Wofford College with a master's degree in international relations from Yonsei University in Seoul.

She was born to a British father and a Korean mother.

Before joining Burson-Marsteller Korea, she worked for public relations consulting firm Edelman in Japan and Korea.

Speaking at a news conference at the party's headquarters in Seoul, Key said she accepted the offer because she believes Saenuri standard-bearer Park Geun-hye is best suited to become the country's president. She added that the candidate's views on politics and the economy also stood out compared to those of her main rivals, Moon Jae-in and Ahn Cheol-soo.

Asked whether she would be able to speak for South Korea's position on security and other issues, Key replied she understands the country well because her mother is Korean and she has lived here for 15 years.

On the foreign media's reference to Park as a dictator's daughter, Key said she would actively communicate with the foreign press in order to help them see the human side in Park, not only the politician.

The 60-year-old Park is the elder daughter of late President Park Chung-hee, who ruled the country with an iron fist from 1961 to 1979. (Yonhap)