BBC: Seoul poll winner tough on North - will press North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons.

BBC ^ | Thursday, 20 December 2007, 04:07 GMT | BBC Staff

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Seoul poll winner tough on North

Lee made his first policy speech the morning after victory

The president-elect of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak, says he will press North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons.

Such a move was a prerequisite for full economic co-operation between North and South, he said, adding that Pyongyang must improve its human rights record.

Speaking at a news conference, he also pledged to boost the economy and court foreign investment.

Full results show the conservative Lee won a landslide win in Wednesday's poll, ending a decade of liberal rule.

With almost all votes counted, the National Election Commission says Mr Lee had 48.7%. Chung Dong-young, of the ruling liberals, was second with 26.1%.

Mr Lee's victory hands back power to his Grand National Party (GNP) for the first time in a decade.

Tougher stance

Addressing a news conference in the South Korean capital, Seoul, Mr Lee pledged a more robust stance towards Pyongyang.

"Previous governments have refrained from criticising and tried to unilaterally appease the North Koreans. I can say such a thing will change," he said.

Leaders of the two Koreas held a landmark summit in October

Increased economic cooperation would depend on North Korean moves to end its nuclear programme, he said.

"Full-fledged economic exchanges can start after North Korea dismantles its nuclear weapons."

In the last decade, Seoul has followed a policy of engagement with the North and tensions have eased.

In October, leaders of the two nations - which have not signed a peace deal since the 1950-53 Korean War - met for only the second time and signed a wide-ranging accord calling for peace and improved economic ties.

Analysts say that as long as North Korea continues moves to disarm, Mr Lee's stance should not dramatically affect ties between Seoul and Pyongyang.

Fraud probe

The president-elect also addressed the economy - an issue that dominated campaigning and was where the former Hyundai executive struck a chord with voters.

He said that his government would court foreign investment and would "foster an environment where companies can operate freely".

Mr Lee will replace incumbent Roh Moo-hyun in February, when his single five-year term expires.

But the president-elect still faces allegations over an alleged fraud in 2001, which he denies.

Although prosecutors had decided there was not enough evidence to charge him, MPs voted to reopen the case earlier this week when new evidence appeared.

A parliamentary probe is set to be completed before Mr Lee takes office.

But correspondents say that for many voters, how the president-elect handles the economy is more important than the allegations against him.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think this is more good news for President Bush....

[The Pack Knight]

It’s about time. Nothing but love for the ROK Army, but, politically, it’s about time the ROK government started to pull its own weight on that peninsula.

[kellynla]

This is all a bunch of hogwash.
NK depends on China and China depends on exports.
Over fifty percent of China’s exports go to the US, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea & Germany. The only thing that has to be done is for GWB to inform the Chicoms that unless they get their dog, NK “back on the porch” not one container of their junk will be unloaded in San Pedro, L.A. or anywhere else in the world. And then sit back and see how long it takes the Chicoms to get NK in line.
The over & under is 30 days.

How do you say “embargo” in Chinese and “blockade” in N.Korean.

[Brad from Tennessee]

The idea, being hawked by candidates, that America has a tarnished image around the world seems exaggerated. Bush has persevered in Iraq while France, Germany, Canada and South Korea move to the right in who they elect. European countries are following Bush’s model and cutting taxes to spur their economies. The U.S. has a growing relationship with India. We came to the aid of Indonesia after the Tsunami and to Pakistan after their earthquake. We’re spending billions in Africa to fight AIDS.

Harry Reid said on the Senate floor: “I fear that the Bush years will be known as a rare, even dark time.”

Maybe not.

[GovernmentIsTheProblem]

“NK depends on China and China depends on exports.
Over fifty percent of China’s exports go to the US, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea & Germany. The only thing that has to be done is for GWB to inform the Chicoms that unless they get their dog, NK “back on the porch” not one container of their junk will be unloaded in San Pedro, L.A. or anywhere else in the world. And then sit back and see how long it takes the Chicoms to get NK in line.”

That is committing an overt act of war.

[bpjam]

Seems like there are a lot of people getting elected who happen to agree with Bush.... Apparently his irrefutable logic is undeniably irresistable. North Korea and Iran must not be allowed to be nuclear powers. Period.

Good to have France, Germany and South Korea on board. Finally.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Somewhat faulty reporting and analysis.

But that is typical for BBC.

To BBC, anybody to the slight right of Mao Tse Tung would be "conservative."

DPRK is not that worried.

I would have imagined that the current Bush Administration, particularly Condi, in fact would have preferred Chung Dong-Young (Appeaser) to eventually victorious Lee (the "bad Lee" that is).

We have been batting this around on another FR Korea Election thread we started yesterday.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Rather (if you are following along with respect to North Korea), it is safe to say President Bush and Condi Rice are much more in sync with Roh Mu Hyon and Chung Dong Young, than with Lee Myung Bak, and particularly Lee Hoi Chang!

[SunkenCiv]

The president-elect of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak, says he will press North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons.

Boy, that Lame Duck President Bush just can't catch a break. Looks like another for 'More "Defeats" For George Bush'. ;')

I don't suppose that taking the pressure off and forcing the South Koreans to consider what would happen if the US weren't around to hold their little umbrella didn't have *anything* to do with the election...

[SunkenCiv]

“Optimism About N. Korea Is Sadly Misguided”
(Condi Rice Approach Takes Another Hit)
Taipei Times, Taiwan (in English) | 16 December 2007 | Richard Halloran
Posted on 12/16/2007 7:52:53 PM EST by AmericanInTokyo
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1940441/posts

[Marine_Uncle]

"Over fifty percent of China’s exports go to the US, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea & Germany. The only thing that has to be done is for GWB to inform the Chicoms that unless they get their dog, NK “back on the porch” not one container of their junk will be unloaded in San Pedro, L.A. or anywhere else in the world. And then sit back and see how long it takes the Chicoms to get NK in line."
Amen. And a republican candidate for the POTUS, Duncan Hunter is just the guy that could under the right conditions go that route. But alas. That will not come to pass.