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South Korea's President-elect Lee Myung-bak urged North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program and improve its human rights record, saying Thursday the longtime rivals could open normal trade only after Pyongyang disarms.
"The most important thing is for North Korea to get rid of its nuclear weapons," Lee told a news conference the day after his landslide election win. "Full-fledged economic exchanges can start after North Korea dismantles its nuclear weapons."
The North this year began disabling its main nuclear facility under an international accord with the U.S. and other regional powers - the first time Pyongyang has scaled back its development of atomic weapons. North Korea has promised to declare all its nuclear programs by the end of the year that will be eventually dismantled.
Lee, a former Hyundai CEO and Seoul mayor, won 48.7 percent of the Wednesday vote with the largest margin of victory ever in a South Korean presidential election - besting his closest rival by more than 22 percent.
The victory by Lee of the conservative Grand National Party marks a shift to the right in Seoul after a decade of liberal presidents, who pursued a "sunshine" policy of engaging the North and largely refrained from criticism of its human rights record.
Lee said he would not shy from calling for change in the North.
"I think unconditionally avoiding criticism of North Korea would not be appropriate," he said. "If we try to point out North Korea's shortcomings, with affection, I think that would go a long way toward improving North Korean society."
Lee, who turned 66 on election day, earned his victory on a wave of discontent for incumbent President Roh Moo-hyun, whom many believe bungled the economy and dragged down the Asian nation's rapid growth.
Voters apparently wanted change so badly that they were willing to overlook accusations of ethical lapses that dogged Lee throughout his campaign.
Just days before the vote, the parliament approved an independent counsel investigation into alleged stock manipulation by Lee that is to be completed before the Feb. 25 inauguration. He has said he will step down if found at fault.
Kang Jae-sup, chairman of Lee's Grand National Party, asked President Roh on Thursday in a radio interview to veto the independent counsel bill to allow for a smooth transition of power.
However, presidential spokesman Oh Young-jin said Roh had earlier expressed his intention to sign the investigation bill.
Lee said Roh called him Thursday morning and promised to cooperate on the change in office at South Korea's presidential Blue House.
Lee's main campaign promise was labeled the "747" pledge - promising to raise annual growth to 7 percent, double the country's per capita income to US$40,000 and lift South Korea to among the world's top seven economies. He also proposed a "Grand Canal" linking Seoul to the southern port city of Busan that would improve transport and be a tourist attraction.
Lee said he would "foster an environment where companies can operate freely."
"The atmosphere was anti-business and anti-corporate so that companies were reluctant to invest," he said of the last two liberal administrations, adding that his government would court foreign investment.
Lee rose from the poverty that gripped the peninsula after the fratricidal 1950-53 Korean War and worked as a janitor to put himself through college.
He first gained prominence as head of Hyundai's construction unit, and spent some 30 years at the conglomerate where he earned the nickname "The Bulldozer" for his unswerving drive to overcome challenges. In one example, he completely took apart a bulldozer to figure out why it kept breaking down.
As Seoul mayor from 2002-2006, he undertook beautification projects in the city that earned him environmental credibility and added to his roster of accomplishments despite resistance from entrenched interests.
source-chinapost.com.tw
Originally Posted by krykrykrynunit
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