Park Geun-hye, the leading presidential contender of the ruling Saenuri Party, on Tuesday labeled her father Park Chung-hee's 1961 military coup as "not something normal," taking a flexible approach toward the senior Park's seizure of power.
The senior Park seized power in the coup and ruled the country as president until 1979 when he was assassinated by his top intelligence aide. Assessment of him is divided, with conservatives crediting him for South Korea's economic development and detractors calling him a dictator.
"Was it (the military coup) not something normal? My father himself thought it was done in an unavoidable situation, which also made him an ill-fated soldier," Park said during a debate hosted by an online news outlet.
Park's comments on her father's legacy have changed slightly from earlier remarks that her father made the best choice. In 2007, she described the coup as a revolution to save the country.
Still she said the coup should be judged by people and history. Some South Koreans credit Park's father for rebuilding South Korea from an economic basket case, while others accuse him of violating human rights and clamping down on democracy during his rule.
Park's comments drew immediate criticism from the main opposition Democratic United Party (DUP).
"Park's stance toward her father's coup has not changed," DUP spokesman Jung Sung-ho said in a statement. "What is important now is whether she has sincere historical perspective about the 1961 military coup."
Park is the leading presidential candidate for the Dec. 19 election. Independent software entrepreneur Ahn Cheol-soo is closely trailing Park in many opinion polls.
Ahn briefly overtook Park last week after a television interview and the publication of his book "Ahn Cheol-soo's Thoughts," which outlines his thoughts on wide-ranging issues and his vision for the country. (Yonhap)
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