Lee Myung-bak wins South Korean presidency
Thursday, December 20, 2007
- 26 January 2012: 'Davos man' versus 'Camp Igloo'; 42nd World Economic Forum convenes in Swiss alps
- 8 November 2011: South Korean court imprisons US soldier for raping teen
- 6 July 2011: South Korean city wins 2018 Winter Olympics
- 19 June 2011: South Korean troops mistakenly attack passenger jet
- 26 March 2011: Millions to turn off lights for Earth Hour tonight
Image: Erik Möller.
Lee Myung-bak has won the presidential election in South Korea. According to the National Election Commission, Lee of the Grand National Party won 48.6% of the vote. Chung Dong-young of the United New Democratic Party came in second with 26.2%. These results are with 98% of the ballots counted.
President of South Korea Roh Moo-hyun was not in the election as the presidency is a single five-year term with no eligibility for re-election. Lee is scheduled to take office on February 25, 2008.
For the first time in South Korea's history, a president-elect is facing an investigation by a prosecutor. Lee, former Hyundai executive, could face charges of fraud stemming from his alleged involvement in a financial scam in 2001. Lee denies the charges, but the investigation is unlikely to conclude before the inauguration.
"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," Lee Myung-bak said in a televised news-conference.
Chung Dong-young conceded defeat "I accept what the people decided today." He told Reuters, "I hope president-elect Lee Myung-bak will lead the country well."
[edit] Sources
- Jonathan Thatcher. "Economy pledge helps Lee win South Korean presidency" — Reuters, December 19, 2007
- "Lee wins South Korea's election" — BBC News Online, December 19, 2007
[edit] External links
- National Election Commision - official site
