S Korea’s new leader vows to confront Kim

President Yoon Suk Yeol promises to get tough with North and forge new US ties after divisive election

SOUTH KOREA yesterday elected a conservative president who has promised a tougher stance on Pyongyang and a stronger alliance with the United States, after one of the most bitter political campaigns in recent memory.

Former prosecutor Yoon Suk Yeol edged a narrow victory over Lee Jae-myung from the governing Democratic Party in a race that has aggravated the country’s already severe domestic divisions.

In the mudslinging campaign, Mr Yoon was forced to deny ties to an unlicensed anal acupuncturist, accusations he relies on fortune-tellers and that he was involved in an alleged case of political interference.

Mr Lee offered to pull down his pants in a TV debate earlier this year to prove his innocence after a rival raised allegations of an extramarital affair and has denied accusations of links to an allegedly corrupt land development deal.

South Korea, a country of 52 million people, is facing a number of challenges, including record Covid infections, growing inequality and surging house prices. Mr Yoon will also have to navigate an increasingly tense rivalry between China and the US.

With almost all the ballots counted, he had 48.6 per cent of the votes against his rival’s 47.8 per cent.

This morning, Mr Lee conceded defeat saying: “I did my best, but failed to live up to your expectations. The president-elect, I desperately ask you to overcome divisions and conflicts and open an era of integration and unity.”

A large crowd gathered outside Mr Yoon’s Seoul home. Stepping outside, he said: “I didn’t know you’d come here without sleeping. I thank you for having supported me so far.”

Mr Yoon says he will take a robust position on North Korean “provocations” and seek to boost trilateral security co-operation with Washington and

Tokyo. He said he would make an enhanced alliance with the US the centre of his foreign policy while taking a more assertive stance on China.

After North Korea’s latest reported ballistic missile launch on Saturday, Mr Yoon accused Kim Jong-un of trying to influence the results of the South Korean election in favour of Mr Lee, who had called for greater reconciliation with North Korea.

“I would teach him some manners and make him come to his senses completely,” he told a rally near Seoul.

Mr Yoon has signalled a harder stance towards countering Beijing’s regional ambitions at a time when Washington is counting on Seoul’s support as it boosts its own military foothold and influence in the Indo-pacific.

He has indicated he may expand the controversial US “THAAD” missile defence system based in South Korea.

Boris Johnson sent his congratulations to Mr Yoon, saying: “South Korea is a friend and ally and I look forward to working closely together on our shared priorities, protecting freedom and security and promoting trade in the industries of the future.”