Summary
South Korean President-elect Roh Moo Hyun takes office Feb. 25, bringing with him an ambitious 12-point policy plan that includes social, political, economic and security reforms. But with a simmering nuclear crisis in North Korea, unsteady ties with the United States and growing economic pressures at home, the new president faces a trial by fire.
Analysis
South Korea's next president, Roh Moo Hyun, will take office Feb. 25 during a public inauguration ceremony. Roh brings with him an ambitious 12-point policy plan covering economic, political, social and security reforms designed to abandon the regionalism, corruption and nepotism that has dominated South Korean politics and business. The plan also is designed to raise the country to a new level as a high-tech economic hub in northeast Asia.
Yet Roh will be immediately faced with three intertwined challenges -- the North Korean nuclear standoff, strained ties with the United States and domestic economic uncertainty. His initial moves in dealing with these will have an impact far beyond his five-year term.
South Korean President-elect Roh Moo Hyun takes office Feb. 25, bringing with him an ambitious 12-point policy plan that includes social, political, economic and security reforms. But with a simmering nuclear crisis in North Korea, unsteady ties with the United States and growing economic pressures at home, the new president faces a trial by fire.
Analysis
South Korea's next president, Roh Moo Hyun, will take office Feb. 25 during a public inauguration ceremony. Roh brings with him an ambitious 12-point policy plan covering economic, political, social and security reforms designed to abandon the regionalism, corruption and nepotism that has dominated South Korean politics and business. The plan also is designed to raise the country to a new level as a high-tech economic hub in northeast Asia.
Yet Roh will be immediately faced with three intertwined challenges -- the North Korean nuclear standoff, strained ties with the United States and domestic economic uncertainty. His initial moves in dealing with these will have an impact far beyond his five-year term.