Lee Myung-Bak won South Korea's presidential election by a landslide Wednesday, as voters backed the former Hyundai chief executive to revive the economy and disregarded fraud allegations against him. Lee's two closest rivals conceded defeat to the opposition conservative candidate, whose victory ends a decade of left-leaning rule.
Official results with 89 percent of the vote counted gave him 48.2 percent to his closest challenger's 26.7 percent, the biggest victory margin in the nation's democratic history.
"Dear people, today you gave me overwhelming support," the Grand National Party (GNP) candidate said in brief comments to the electorate after a rapturous welcome at party HQ. "I will serve you politely and humbly...I will do my best to revive the country's economy which is facing a crisis."
Lee's nearest rival, Chung Dong-Young of the liberal pro-government United New Democratic Party, and rightwing independent LLee Hoi-Chang conceded defeat "I humbly accept the people's choice," said Chung, who seemed close to tears.
Koreans grappling with high youth unemployment, an ever-widening income gap and soaring property prices gave the candidate whose slogan was "Economy First!" the unprecedented mandate despite a looming fraud investigation. GNP headquarters erupted with joy when exit polls flashed on a screen. Officials and supporters hugged each other, wept and yelled "Hurrah!"
Thousands of others celebrated in the streets in near-zero temperatures, chanting "Ln February 25 to replace incumbent Roh Moo-Hyun, who congratulated his successor on his victory. State prosecutors cleared Lee early this month of involvement in a 2001 share-rigging fraud involving his former business partner, an issue which had dogged his campaign.
But apparent new video evidence surfaced Sunday of Lee's past connection to a firm linked to the scandal, prompting rivals in parliament to vote for an inquiry by an independent prosecutor. Media reports said the prosecutor may report just before the inauguration but most voters were clearly willing to accept the awkward situation. "I sawn. "My business is so bad these days."
Despite the share scandal, in which Lee strongly denies involvement, many see him as having the best background to boost the economy. The man once nicknamed the "bulldozer" rose from childhood poverty to become a Hyundai construction executive and mayor of Seoul, where he pushed through an ambitious and hugely popular waterway beautification scheme.
Lee's "747" campaign pledge aims to achieve seven percent growth, increase per capita income to 40,000 dollars and make South Korea the world's seventh largest economy by encouraging market forces. "I know many people are now in a difficult situation," he told cheering supporters in a televised message. "I will solve their problems... I will show you that we can do anything if we all work together."
Apart from the economy, Lee promises a firmer line on North Korea, accusing the Roh government of pampering the communist state with unconditional aid. He says he would offer it massive help but strictly tied to denuclearisation.
"The election outcome was amazing," Sungkyunkwan University political science professor Kim Il-Young told AFP. Kim said Lee might have benefited from the lowest ever turnout in a Korean presidential election of 62.9 percent. "The disclosure of the video claim prompted conservative voters to band together while many liberal voters gave up and did not vote," Kim said. "The outcome reflected widespread public despair at President Roh's administration."
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