The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Seoul

South Korea's new president, who promises a softer approach to big business and a tougher line on North Korea, secured key support Thursday after his conservative party won a majority in parliament. Final official results showed Lee Myung-Bak's Grand National Party (GNP) won 153 of the 299 parliamentary seats in Wednesday's general election. Two smaller rightwing groups together took 32. The liberal United Democratic Party (UDP), previously the largest group in parliament, took just 81 in a stunning setback. The GNP hailed its victory as a mandate for a decisive shift toward the right, which began with Lee's crushing presidential election victory over his liberal challenger last December. Campaigning on an "Economy, First!" platform, Lee has touted wholesale deregulation, tax cuts and privatisation to revitalise Asia's fourth-largest economy after a decade of relatively modest growth under liberal presidents.