Korean Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook has been named one of the world’s seven great women leaders, along with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and French Socialist presidential candidate Segolene Royal. The French women’s magazine Marie Claire’s U.S. edition selected her as one of the seven 'Women Who Rule,' the Prime Minister’s Office announced Saturday. In addition to the three ladies already mentioned, the magazine chose Chile's first woman president Michelle Bachelet, Jamaica's Prime Minister-designate and Minister of Local Government, Community Development & Sport Portia Simpson Miller, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

Of particular note is that Prime Minister Han was placed in the “Rising Stars” category along with Segolene Royal, who hopes to become France’s first woman president, and Foreign Minister Livni of Israel. Michelle Bachelet was praised for helping break down the gender barriers in Chile and labeled a “Survivor” by the magazine. Portia Miller was the “Populist,” President of Liberia Johnson-Sirleaf was the “Prodigal Daughter” and Merkel was called an “Outsider.”

Last September, the U.S. economics periodical Forbes, ranked the prime minister 68th on its list of the most powerful women leaders in the world.

(englishnews@chosun.com )