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South Koreans vote for president South Korea's Lee 'wins election'
(about 3 hours later)
South Koreans are voting for a new president after an election campaign blighted by scandal. Voting has ended in South Korea's presidential election, with exit polls suggesting conservative candidate Lee Myung-bak has won a landslide victory.
Conservative candidate Lee Myung-bak is widely expected to win, despite being under investigation for alleged fraud. Mr Lee had been widely expected to triumph in the ballot, despite being under investigation for alleged fraud.
Polls show him far ahead of his two main rivals, ruling party candidate Chung Dong-young and independent Lee Hoi-chang. Exit polls showed Mr Lee winning more than 50% of the vote, easily defeating ruling party candidate Chung Dong-young and independent Lee Hoi-chang.
The candidates are battling to succeed the liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, who ends his five-year term in February. The winner will replace Roh Moo-hyun, whose five-year term ends in February.
By 1500 (0600 GMT), voter turn-out was around the 48% mark, election officials said. Official results are expected by 2200 (1300 GMT).
Front-runnerFront-runner
According to opinion polls, the main issue for most of the country's 37 million voters is the economy. Analysts said the main issue for most of the country's 37 million voters was the economy.
Mr Lee, a 65-year-old former Hyundai executive, seems to have convinced many that he can attract investment and boost the job market.Mr Lee, a 65-year-old former Hyundai executive, seems to have convinced many that he can attract investment and boost the job market.
THE CANDIDATES Lee Myung-bak: Frontrunner, former Hyundai executiveChung Dong-young: Liberal, member of current cabinetLee Hoi-chang: Veteran conservative Profiles: Presidential hopefulsSouth Korea's "dirty" electionTHE CANDIDATES Lee Myung-bak: Frontrunner, former Hyundai executiveChung Dong-young: Liberal, member of current cabinetLee Hoi-chang: Veteran conservative Profiles: Presidential hopefulsSouth Korea's "dirty" election
But his campaign has been overshadowed by claims that he was involved in stock market fraud. But his campaign was overshadowed by claims that he was involved in stock market fraud.
Fights broke out in parliament when MPs passed a bill to establish an independent inquiry into the allegations - to be completed before the presidential inauguration in February.Fights broke out in parliament when MPs passed a bill to establish an independent inquiry into the allegations - to be completed before the presidential inauguration in February.
Casting his vote in the capital, Seoul, Mr Lee thanked supporters for defending him from what he called "numerous negative campaigns" and urged people to turn out and vote.Casting his vote in the capital, Seoul, Mr Lee thanked supporters for defending him from what he called "numerous negative campaigns" and urged people to turn out and vote.
"This time, we have to change the government without fail," he said."This time, we have to change the government without fail," he said.
A victory for Mr Lee would see his Grand National Party (GNP) return to power for the first time in a decade.A victory for Mr Lee would see his Grand National Party (GNP) return to power for the first time in a decade.
'Truth and lies''Truth and lies'
But his main rival - Chung Dong-young, of the governing liberal United New Democratic Party (UNDP) - said such a victory would bring disgrace on the country.But his main rival - Chung Dong-young, of the governing liberal United New Democratic Party (UNDP) - said such a victory would bring disgrace on the country.
"This election is a battle between truth and lies," he told journalists as he cast his ballot."This election is a battle between truth and lies," he told journalists as he cast his ballot.
The election campaign has been hard-foughtThe election campaign has been hard-fought
In the last opinion poll before the vote, Mr Lee registered a 30-point lead over Mr Chung, a former cabinet minister.In the last opinion poll before the vote, Mr Lee registered a 30-point lead over Mr Chung, a former cabinet minister.
Analysts say the other mainstream challenger, veteran conservative Lee Hoi-chang, has little chance of making an impact.Analysts say the other mainstream challenger, veteran conservative Lee Hoi-chang, has little chance of making an impact.
A Lee Myung-bak win could usher in a tougher stance towards North Korea, reports the BBC's John Sudworth from Seoul.A Lee Myung-bak win could usher in a tougher stance towards North Korea, reports the BBC's John Sudworth from Seoul.
Mr Lee says he wants to see more in return for the aid and trade given to Pyongyang as a result of the decade-long policy of engagement.Mr Lee says he wants to see more in return for the aid and trade given to Pyongyang as a result of the decade-long policy of engagement.
But the issue ranks low on the list of priorities for South Koreans, our correspondent adds.But the issue ranks low on the list of priorities for South Koreans, our correspondent adds.
Many are focused instead on the state of the economy and if the opinion polls are to be believed, the South Korean public may be willing to put aside questions of ethics when voting for the man they think best suited to the job.Many are focused instead on the state of the economy and if the opinion polls are to be believed, the South Korean public may be willing to put aside questions of ethics when voting for the man they think best suited to the job.