South Korea's President-elect Park Geun-hye has inaugurated a new era in the country's history. It is the first time in modern East Asia a woman has been elected as a top leader. Park deserves our respect for her role in promoting South Korean women's political status.

From a global perspective, it is not rare that women participate in political affairs. However, there have been few who entered the top levels. Perhaps it is only in northern Europe that men and women have an equal quota in national political affairs.

In Asia, women get involved in political affairs mainly due to the sad history of their families, such as Benazir Bhutto, daughter of the executed Pakistani prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who was eventually assassinated herself. Even Park is the daughter of Korean dictator Park Chung-hee, murdered by his security advisor.

The reality is that men still hold political power in most part of the world. The reasons are various, but human development should be headed toward the direction where gender is not a decisive factor for holding political power. As economic development and social equality grow in the East Asian region, a more equitable gender balance is likely.

Park's victory has some symbolic meaning in this context. At the same time, the real test for her is whether she can achieve her goals using the presidential position, realize what she has promised to her voters and ensure peace and prosperity in the Korean Peninsula.

Many female politicians have made remarkable achievements during their office. For example, former Sri Lankan prime minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike actively participated in the non-alliance movement. Former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland made themselves world famous for their roles in civil affairs and international cooperation. Indira Gandhi, former Indian prime minister, and Margaret Thatcher, Britain's first female prime minister, showed their great talent during their terms. History has proved that outstanding female politicians can be accomplished leaders.

Because there are fewer opportunities for women to involve in political affairs than men, some view a woman taking a top position as a landmark event, which I think is unnecessary. Leaders' achievement has nothing to do with their gender but will be determined by their abilities. Meanwhile, the public will also keep an eye on how any leader handles both trivial things and emergencies. The world welcomes more female politicians. We hope Park will be a successful president and exceed her father.

The author is dean of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn