The conservative party of South Korea's new president wins a majority in a
parliamentary election, giving him the political muscle to push through
reforms in Asia's fourth largest economy.




Lee Myung-bak's Grand National Party (GNP) won just more than half the seats in parliament.
This gives his party a narrow margin in the National Assembly, well short of the two-thirds majority predicted.
[Kang Jae-sup, GNP's Leader]: Male
"I deeply appreciate the people who made us the majority. This is a victory for the people who desire economic revival and national integration."

Lee began his five-year term in February pledging to boost growth this year to 6 percent from 5 percent last year, cut the red tape stifling business, win approval for a trade deal with the United States and make his economy more open and competitive.
The election campaign was largely devoid of debate on any serious issue.

The left-of-centre United Democratic Party (UDP) accepted the crushing defeat.

[Park Seon-sook, UDP's Spokesman]:
"The election results reflect the will of the people. We will humbly accept the results.
We will reform more and check harder for political balances."

The new parliament will sit in late May and serve for four years.