South Korea Gets First Woman Foreign Minister

Sixty Two-year-old Kang Kyung-Hwa, a United Nations Veteran, has been appointed as the First Female Foreign Minister of South Korea. The South Korean President, Moon Jae-In, made the appointment and entrusted her with easing tensions over North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

The decision was made when President Moon said the post of the Foreign Minister couldn't be left vacant anymore because the South Korea-US summit is around the corner. Moon is scheduled to leave for Washington on June 28 for his two-day summit meeting with President Donald Trump.

Earlier, Kang has served as the Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. After that, she became a Senior Policy Advisor to UN Chief Antonio Guterres this year. She also served in the Korea's Foreign Ministry for years before joining the United Nations. Moon's office said earlier that her diplomatic experience will help the South navigate tricky waters and tackle sensitive issues with its allies and neighbours.

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Her appointment, however, was replete with strong objections from the opposition parties since she has been accused of alleged tax evasions and false registration of address for her daughter.

President Moon urged Kang to show actions that will prove the opposition parties' objections wrong.

"I want you to truly help expand the external appearance of our diplomatic relations and show how great our capabilities are. I hope you would make those who have opposed you realise that they were wrong." Yonhap news agency quoted President Moon as saying to Kang.

It is heartening to see more and more countries identifying women's acumen and roping in women to take charge of the political affairs of the country. This will go a long way in making countries' cabinet more gender diverse.

Pic Credit: Bloomberg

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