Seoul poll winner tough on North

Lee made his first policy speech the morning after victory The president-elect of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak, says he will press North Korea to abandon nuclear weapons. 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. Speaking at a news conference, he also pledged to boost the economy and court foreign investment. Full results show the conservative Lee won a landslide win in Wednesday's poll, ending a decade of liberal rule. 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%. Mr Lee's victory hands back power to his Grand National Party (GNP) for the first time in a decade. Tougher stance Addressing a news conference in the South Korean capital, Seoul, Mr Lee pledged a more robust stance towards Pyongyang. "Previous governments have refrained from criticising and tried to unilaterally appease the North Koreans. I can say such a thing will change," he said. Leaders of the two Koreas held a landmark summit in October 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." In the last decade, Seoul has followed a policy of engagement with the North and tensions have eased. 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. 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 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". Mr Lee will replace incumbent Roh Moo-hyun in February, when his single five-year term expires. But the president-elect still faces allegations over an alleged fraud in 2001, which 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. A parliamentary probe is set 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.