By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Presidential hopeful Park Geun-hye of the Grand National Party (GNP) pledged Monday to devote herself to revitalizing the economy, if elected president.
Park, 55, the eldest daughter of the late President Park Chung-hee, offered an apology to those who suffered from her father’s 18-year authoritarian rule from 1961 and 1979.
In a press conference at the party headquarters in Seoul after registering with the election watchdog her candidacy for the GNP’s primaries, Park said, ``I admire the role of the activists in fighting for the country’s democracy. I clearly see that the only way I can pay back the political debt is to get the economy on the right track.’’
Her political opponents used to call her a ``daughter of the dictator.’’ In various polls, she is regarded as the most conservative among the leading presidential aspirants.
``I will help Korea take a big step toward being an advanced economy in five years, if elected,’’ she said.
The former GNP chairwoman pledged to build a transparent society and strengthen the free market economy.
``A small government and big market are the keys to a booming economy. I will cut taxes, ease all unnecessary regulations and stand firm on the rule of law,’’ she said.
Park said quality human resources would bring prosperity to Korea in the future.
She said she would introduce a package of policies to help cut the rising household spending on private education.
``I am in for the primaries today. I can feel the same level of intensity as I felt here in 2004. At that time, I asked the people to give the GNP one last chance so the party could win the National Assembly elections,’’ she said.
Before the elections, Park was called upon as party leader as the party was plunged into turmoil after party leaders reportedly received vast amounts in illegal campaign funds from conglomerates.
The failed impeachment against Roh also added difficulties to the GNP, her aides recalled.
She successfully managed the crisis and led the party to become the second largest parliamentary group in the 2004 elections, they said.
She made a case for her eligibility for the party candidacy by highlighting the past experiences at Cheong Wa Dae.
Park served as acting first lady between 1974 and 1979 after her mother, Yuk Young-su, was assassinated.
She said she is fully aware of how tough the presidency is. ``I am prepared to take the job.”
Once registered, only the victorious in-house nominee will be eligible to run for the presidency.