Lee wins South Korean election by a landslide
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) — Lee Myung-Bak, a former Seoul mayor and Hyundai executive currently facing investigation amid allegations of fraud, won South Korea’s presidential election Wednesday by a landslide.
Today, the people gave me absolute support. I’m well aware of the people’s wishes, said Lee, the 66-year-old leader of the conservative opposition Grand National Party, The Associated Press reported.
I will serve the people in a very humble way. According to the people’s wishes, I will save the nation’s economy that faces a crisis.
He will take office in February.
Lee’s main rival was Chung Dong-Young of the United New Democratic Party.
Chung, 54, a former television news anchor and unification minister, earlier told reporters he humbly accepted the people’s choice. I hope (president)-elect Lee Myung-bak will do a good job for the country.
Third-placed independent candidate Lee Hoi-Chang also congratulated Lee.
Supporters gathered outside the Grand National Party headquarters in Seoul broke into cheers as television stations started to report news of Lee’s victory.
Lee, 66, broke from the pack of candidates by virtue of his rags-to-riches life story and his business background.
He had collected trash to put himself through college, then rose to become one of the youngest CEOs of Hyundai Construction, earning himself the nickname The Bulldozer. Watch why Lee has the upper hand among voters
The frontrunner throughout the campaign, Lee has pledged to take a more critical stance over South Korea’s engagement with North Korea.
Lee said Thursday he would seek to achieve a nuclear-free Korean peninsula and strengthen Seoul’s alliance with the United States. The North’s abandonment of its nuclear programs is the way for the North to develop its economy, Lee told a news conference. Lee also said the divided Koreas can open a new era of cooperation through denuclearization, The Associated Press reported.
Lee also told reporters Thursday he will press North Korea to improve its human rights record, AP reported.
He also promised economic reform aimed at raising annual growth to seven percent per year and establishing South Korea among the world’s top seven economies.
But the election was thrown into uncertainty Monday when the National Assembly voted to investigate accusations of fraud against him after political opponents released a video clip of him saying he founded an investment company at the center of stock manipulation charges.
Lee will take over from Roh Moo-Hyun, who had promised reform and clean governance. But scandal has marred his five-year term, with a string of Cabinet officials forced to resign over corruption allegations and Roh himself surviving an impeachment attempt in 2004.
Critics have also challenged Roh’s economic policies, saying he raised taxes, created higher unemployment and caused real estate prices to soar.
At the same time, he improved relations with North Korea and became only the second South Korean president to meet with his counterpart in the North.
Roh offered his congratulations to Lee on Wednesday. We respect the people’s choice shown in this election, presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said in a statement, AP reported. Lee is to take office in February.
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