South Korea's first woman PM to run for president

Seoul, June 18: South Korea's first woman prime minister announced today that she would stand in December's presidential election, seeking to represent left-leaning forces.

Han Myeong-sook served as premier for almost a year until she quit in March. Analysts say she is seen as a long shot even though she emerged unscathed from her stint in the government of unpopular President Roh Moo-hyun.

''I want to listen to the people and go closer to them and try to ease their pain,'' Han told a news conference to announce her candidacy.

Han entered government as a relative unknown but gained respect for her handling of a gambling scandal and for keeping peace between Roh and the parliament, analysts said.

She is the second woman seeking the presidency in the race. She joins Park Geun-hye, the daughter of an authoritarian president who was shot dead by his spy chief.

Park is running as a candidate for the main conservative Grand National Party.

South Korea's president serves for a single, five-year term.

Reuters>