Park Geun-hye could be South Korea's first female president

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - South Korean presidential candidate Park Geun-hye heads into Wednesday's election under the weight of history. Not only is she the daughter of a dictator who ruled with ruthlessly for 18 years, but she's trying to win power in a country dominated by men.

No Korean woman is believed to have ruled since Queen Jinseong more than a millennium ago.

As president, Park would have to face North Korean belligerence - most recently shown in a provocative rocket launch last week - and growing worries about jobs, a rapidly aging population and the role of big business.

But many would also expect action on a host of problems that beset women: many are paid less than men doing the same work, and many are trapped in low-paying jobs, despite first-class educations.

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Associated Press