Lee Myung-bak wins in landslide

Lee Myung-bak of the Grand National Party won a landslide victory in the presidential election yesterday with 48.7 percent of the vote, making him the first successful conservative candidate in 10 years.

"I sincerely thank you for your unwavering support. I am well aware of your aspirations. I will serve you humbly. I will extract the country from its economic troubles and revive it. I promise to achieve social and national unification," the president-elect told cheering supporters.

He also offered consolation to his unsuccessful opponents.

First runner-up Chung Dong-young of the liberal United New Democratic Party won 26.1 percent of votes, while independent Lee Hoi-chang, the founder and former chairman of the GNP, followed with 15.1 percent.

Among the minor party candidates, Kwon Young-ghil of the Democratic Labor Party won 3 percent of the vote. Moon Kook-hyun of the Create Korea party had 5.8 percent percent, while Rhee In-je of the Democratic Party took 0.7 percent.

Yesterday`s results were widely in sync with polls that have predicted Lee`s triumph for the past year.

Voter turnout plunged to an all-time low of about 63 percent, or about 24 million out of 37 million eligible voters, the National Election Commission said. In 2002, the turnout was 70.8 percent. Voters were most active in North Gyeongsang Province, Lee Myung-bak`s stronghold, while South Chungcheong Province and Incheon manifested the lowest turnout. Seoul scored 62.8 percent.

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Regional biases weakened to some extent, with Lee Myung-bak obtaining close to 10 percent in the Jeolla Provinces - traditionally dominated by liberals. Lee was No. 1 in 13 out of the 16 provinces and metropolitan cities.

But conventional strongholds still held strong, as North Gyeongsang Province supported Lee to the tune of 80 percent. The UNDP topped charts in the Jeolla provinces.

As president, Lee Myung-bak`s priority would lie with the economy and how to coordinate policies to generate the 7 percent growth rate he has pledged.

Polls have consistently shown increasing public concern with economic issues. Many are pinning their hopes on Lee to improve the job market and cut taxes. There are also concerns over real estate stagnation. Businesses are counting on him to promote a more corporate-friendly environment.

On the diplomatic front, inter-Korean issues, many of which have loose ends that require tying by the incoming government, will be another pressing task.

The president-elect must draw up a strategy to follow up on President Roh`s agreement with North Korea that would see that country sign a peace treaty with South Korea, the United States and China. He must also keep an eye on Pyongyang`s nuclear disablement process, scheduled to be wrapped up this year.

The GNP contender had pledged early on to implement a strategic open-door policy toward Pyongyang in aims of achieving its complete denuclearization, but he was heavily criticized for his vagueness. Lee also pledged to strengthen the alliance with the United States.

Analysts perceive the upcoming probe on Lee Myung-bak`s alleged involvement in a financial scandal as a major test for Lee`s parliamentary leadership. Lee must find a way to stabilize the National Assembly despite the independent counsel investigation.

Fortunately for the GNP, achieving a near-majority mandate would place the conservative party in an advantageous governing position. It will also reduce the possibility of internal squabbles, while ensuring former GNP Chairwoman Park Geun-hye`s support. Independent Lee Hoi-chang has been persistently enlisting Park`s support, calling on her to align with "true" conservative forces.

"The parties that achieve their target in terms of votes will have a relatively better chance at revival in the April general elections, but those who do not make the cut may face political oblivion," said Han Gui-young, a researcher at the Korea Society Opinion Institute.

Chung is consequently fated to be subject to fierce backlash from his UNDP colleagues. He scheduled a press conference for today.

Since the former unification minister`s main strategy was to sever ties with President Roh, Chung`s defeat may rekindle a dispute between the pro- and anti-Roh forces. Analysts predict a major fissure - whatever form it takes - could tear the party up into several factions.

The UNDP is likely to point fingers at who was to blame for the divided vote, which is cited as one of the biggest reasons for Chung`s defeat, alongside the incompetent image the liberals painted of themselves, according to polls.

Chung failed to merge with other liberal parties after he was spurned by the Democratic Party and the Create Korea party.

President Roh Moo-hyun yesterday congratulated Lee Myung-bak on his victory, presidential spokesman Cheon Ho-seon said. Roh plans to meet the president-elect as soon as possible.

A security contingent started around-the-clock protection for the president-elect and his family as soon as his election was confirmed. The service will be offered until Feb. 25, when Lee formally takes office, forthwith he will receive protection from an official team.



By Kim Ji-hyun



(jemmie@heraldm.com)