Korean joins RP politics

SURIGAO CITY - A 64-year-old Korean businessman married to a Filipina has joined local politics and is running for mayor of the seaside town of Basilisa in the newly created Dinagat Islands province.

Sangkil Ham Park, a naturalized Filipino, registered himself as "Chairman" in his certificate of candidacy (COC) and is running as an independent.

He is the Chairman-Founder of the Philippine-Chason Charity Foundation.

Park claimed he has been staying in Basilisa town for 10 years and six months prior to the May 14, 2007 elections, according to records obtained by THE STAR from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Park was born in Seoul, South Korea on Jan. 10, 1943. He currently resides at Purok 8, Barangay Tag-abaca, Basilisa, Dinagat Islands.

He is married to one Susan Busmeon, a native of the islands.

In his certificate of candidacy, Park told the Comelec that he will try to create jobs for the people of Basilisa by inviting foreign investors to set up industries and factories using the island’s natural resources. He also wants to develop the town’s agriculture sector in order to provide food security.

Park plans to construct a well-equipped municipal hospital.

He will also prioritize the improvement and development of the town’s favorite tourist-destination areas like the beautiful Lake Balalu, and scenic Hagak-Hagakhak island.

He said he will also provide computers for Basilisa National High School and for each of the 27 barangays of Basilisa.

In his platform of government, Park said he will provide manpower training for the increasing number of out-of school youth left unattended by the government to prepare them for employment in the various industries he plans to invite in Basilisa town.

He also claimed that once elected, he will initiate the construction of a children’s park and recreation center for the town’s growing number of senior citizens.