Swearing in as the first female president of South Korea, Park Geun-hye Monday warned North Korea for pursuing its nuclear ambitions saying that the biggest victim of the test will ultimately be none other than North Korea itself.

"As president of the Republic of Korea, I will live up to the will of the people by achieving economic rejuvenation, the happiness of the people, and the flourishing of our culture," UPI quoted Park as saying.

Park Geun-hye was sworn in as thousands of public and delegates from across the world filled the National Assembly plaza in Seoul to applaud her presidential inauguration.

During the presidential address, the new South Korean president warned its long-term rival, North Korea to realize the repercussion of the recent nuclear test.

 "North Korea's recent nuclear test is a challenge to the survival and future of the Korean people, and there should be no mistake that the biggest victim will be none other than North Korea itself. I urge North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions without delay and embark on the path to peace and shared development," said Park.

In a press release February 14, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that the Governor General David Johnston would attend the presidential inauguration of the Republic of Korea.

According to the press release, David Johnston would be promoting Canada's close and active engagements with the country.

"Canada and Korea share a vibrant relationship based upon many shared values and objectives and close cooperation in international fora on democratic and human rights issues," Stephen Harper said in the release.

Park who won the presidential election last December is 61-year-old and she is the daughter of former president Park Chung-hee who was assassinated 34 years ago.

Despite warnings from different countries including U.S. and its closest ally China, North Korea went ahead with the third nuclear test and threatened South Korea Saturday of "miserable destruction" if the U.S goes ahead with the joint drills with South Korea which is set to begin next month. 

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