Liberal politician Moon Jae-in has won the presidential elections in South Korea, signalling the end of nearly a decade of conservative rule and bringing a more conciliatory approach toward North Korea.
Moon's victory will end months of political turmoil that led to the ousting of his former rival, conservative former president Park Geun-hye over an extensive corruption scandal, which a court upheld in March. Park became the first democratically elected leader in South Korea to be impeached from office, causing a snap election for her successor.
Moon vowed that he will restore the country badly bruised by the scandal during a midnight victory speech at a temporary stage set up in the main square in downtown Seoul.
With 80 percent of the votes counted at 1705 GMT, Moon was ahead with 40 percent, according to the National Election Commission. A conservative challenger, former prosecutor Hong Joon-pyo, was next with 25.5 percent followed by centrist candidate Ahn Cheol-soo with 21.4 percent.
Source: Reuters
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