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South Korean Voters Go To Presidential Polls

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By HYUNG-JIN KIM, The Associated Press

Published: December 19, 2007

SEOUL, South Korea - South Koreans voted for a new president today in an election widely expected to end a decade of liberal rule - if the nation can overlook a scandal that has tainted the front-runner.

Lee Myung-bak of the conservative Grand National Party, who has pledged to be a business-friendly leader who will boost the economy, has led in opinion polls by large margins.

A former Hyundai CEO and Seoul mayor, he has also said he would take a more critical view of Seoul's engagement with rival North Korea while seeking closer U.S. ties.

Just days before the vote, parliament voted to authorize an independent counsel investigation of Lee in a stock manipulation case in which prosecutors had already cleared him of wrongdoing. The probe is to be completed before the Feb. 25 inauguration, and Lee has said he would step aside from the presidency if found at fault.

Unlike previous elections dominated by security policy with rival North Korea or relations with the United States, this year voters were focused on the economy due to concern over sky-high real estate prices, soaring unemployment and a widening gap between rich and poor.

Nicknamed "The Bulldozer" for his can-do business acumen, Lee's support has been bolstered due to dissatisfaction over the five-year term of liberal President Roh Moo-hyun, who is constitutionally barred from seeking re-election.

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