This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7153147.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Seoul poll winner tough on North US welcomes S Korea's new leader
(about 20 hours later)
The president-elect of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak, says he will press North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons. US President George W Bush has called South Korea's Lee Myung-bak to hail his election victory and discuss future de-nuclearisation in North Korea.
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. The White House said the two leaders talked of their dedication to a Korean peninsula free of nuclear weapons.
Speaking at a news conference, he also pledged to boost the economy and court foreign investment. And Mr Bush invited president-elect Mr Lee to the US after his inauguration, which is expected in February.
Full results show the conservative Lee won a landslide win in Wednesday's poll, ending a decade of liberal rule. Mr Lee has pledged to forge closer ties with Washington, speaking of a lack of trust under incumbent Roh Moo-hyun.
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%. He also said relations with Japan must be improved, as should the overall relationship between nations in north-east Asia.
Mr Lee's victory hands back power to his Grand National Party (GNP) for the first time in a decade. Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda congratulated Mr Lee, saying he hoped for "further development in amicable, co-operative relations".
Tougher stance White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Mr Bush told Mr Lee he looked forward to a relationship based on "mutual trust and understanding, to achieve peace and prosperity".
Addressing a news conference in the South Korean capital, Seoul, Mr Lee pledged a more robust stance towards Pyongyang. "The two leaders discussed their dedication to a nuclear weapons-free Korean peninsula and the need to continue to show North Korea there is a better way forward if they live up to their commitments," said Mr Johndroe.
"Previous governments have refrained from criticising and tried to unilaterally appease the North Koreans. I can say such a thing will change," he said. New era
Leaders of the two Koreas held a landmark summit in October Earlier, Mr Lee signalled a tougher line towards Pyongyang, saying the North must scrap its nuclear ambitions in order to gain full economic co-operation with Seoul.
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.""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. He also called for the North to improve its human rights record.
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. Leaders of the two Koreas held a landmark summit in October
"Previous governments have refrained from criticising and tried to unilaterally appease the North Koreans. I can say such a thing will change," he said.
Full results from Wednesday's election show Mr Lee, a conservative, won a landslide victory.
He took 48.7% of the vote, putting him 22 percentage points ahead of nearest rival Chung Dong-young.
The victory hands back power to Mr Lee's Grand National Party (GNP) for the first time in a decade - ending the domination of President Roh's liberal United New Democratic Party (UNDP).
Over the past decade Seoul has followed a policy of engagement with the North and tensions have eased.
The two countries remain technically at war as they have never signed a peace deal in the years since the Korean War of 1950-53.
In October opposing leaders 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.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 Corruption claims
The president-elect also addressed the economy - an issue that dominated campaigning and was where the former Hyundai executive struck a chord with voters.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". He said 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. Mr Lee will replace the incumbent, Mr Roh, when his five-year term expires in February.
But the president-elect still faces allegations over an alleged fraud in 2001, which he denies. But the president-elect still faces claims he was involved in a fraud in 2001 - allegations 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.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. A parliamentary probe is expected 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.But correspondents say that for many voters, how the president-elect handles the economy is more important than the allegations against him.