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Friday, Nov 2, 2012 6:15 AM UTC

S. Korean candidate in late dictator dad’s shadow

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Topics: From the Wires,

S. Korean candidate in late dictator dad's shadowHOLD FOR STORY SLUGGED SOUTH KOREA DICTATOR'S DAUGHTER BY FOSTER KLUG - FILE - In this Tuesday, May 29, 2007 file photo, South Korea's opposition Grand National Party presidential contenders Lee Myung-bak, left, and Park Geun-hye clap as they participate in a public hearing in Kwangju, south of Seoul, South Korea. Park proved a skilled operator in the bare-knuckles world of South Korean politics, serving five terms in the legislature and earning the nickname “Queen of Elections” for her ability to win tight races and manage other lawmakers. Park only narrowly lost in presidential primaries five years ago to current conservative President Lee Myung-bak, whose single term ends in February. (AP Photo/Yonhap, Baek Sung-ryul) KOREA OUT(Credit: Baek Sung-ryul)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Park Geun-hye is well positioned to become South Korea’s first woman president. She has been in the public eye longer than her rivals and is a skilled political operator. But she’s hobbled by a man who has been dead more than 30 years: her father.

The late dictator Park Chung-hee is revered for steering South Korea to economic and diplomatic power with a hostile North Korea at its doorstep. And he is loathed for what rights groups call a long history of torture, unlawful executions and other abuses of power.

Park Geun-hye has been in the public eye for decades but has repeatedly stumbled when she talks about her father’s complicated legacy. She leads in the polls, but she could be vulnerable if her two main challengers join forces.

More Foster Klug.

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