SEOUL — With partial returns counted,
several broadcast networks in South Korea project Park Gyeun-hye will
win the country's election, making her the country's first female
president.
Three major broadcast networks are predicting Park Gyeun-hye of the conservative Saenuri Party will defeat Moon Jae-in, the candidate of Democratic United Party.
Turnout was high, nearly 76 percent, surpassing the two previous presidential elections, despite sub-freezing temperatures across the country.
Voters, bundled in their thickest winter clothing and stomping their feet to stay warm, waited in long lines to get into polling stations.
In Seoul, 51-year-old Chun Dae-young, noted he has never had to line up before to vote. The small business owner expressed sentiments typical of Moon's supporters.
Chun says he wants "to live in a society where law, common sense and rules are recognized." He says the system must respect small and medium-sized enterprises and protect the weak. He says he wants the next president to make his dreams come true.
Twenty-three-year-old student Kang Eun-jeong, unlike the majority of younger voters, cast her ballot for Park and expects to see the country's first female president.
Kang says she knows her friends and colleagues have a different opinion about who should be president, but notes Park's father held the post for 16 years and his daughter "can do well as she has a lot of political experience."
The incumbent, President Lee Myung-bak of the Saenuri Party, is limited to a single five-year term. He was elected in 2007.
The new president, who will take office February 25, will confront a widening income disparity amid a slowing economy, soaring welfare costs for an aging population and the ever-present threat posed by North Korea.
During the campaign, Moon said he wanted a summit meeting with North Korea in the first year of his presidency. Park declared no such meeting could take place unless Pyongyang apologizes for military provocation it has conducted in recent years.
Moon wanted modifications to the controversial free-trade agreement with the United States, while Park says it is generally satisfactory.
Both candidates support the long-standing military alliance with the United States.
Moon's campaign received a boost after an independent and a far-left candidate both dropped out. But despite their support it has not given him enough votes to defeat Park, a veteran lawmaker.
Her father took power in a 1961 coup and was South Korea's autocratic president until he was assassinated in 1979 by the chief of his intelligence agency.
Three major broadcast networks are predicting Park Gyeun-hye of the conservative Saenuri Party will defeat Moon Jae-in, the candidate of Democratic United Party.
Turnout was high, nearly 76 percent, surpassing the two previous presidential elections, despite sub-freezing temperatures across the country.
Voters, bundled in their thickest winter clothing and stomping their feet to stay warm, waited in long lines to get into polling stations.
In Seoul, 51-year-old Chun Dae-young, noted he has never had to line up before to vote. The small business owner expressed sentiments typical of Moon's supporters.
Chun says he wants "to live in a society where law, common sense and rules are recognized." He says the system must respect small and medium-sized enterprises and protect the weak. He says he wants the next president to make his dreams come true.
Twenty-three-year-old student Kang Eun-jeong, unlike the majority of younger voters, cast her ballot for Park and expects to see the country's first female president.
Kang says she knows her friends and colleagues have a different opinion about who should be president, but notes Park's father held the post for 16 years and his daughter "can do well as she has a lot of political experience."
The incumbent, President Lee Myung-bak of the Saenuri Party, is limited to a single five-year term. He was elected in 2007.
The new president, who will take office February 25, will confront a widening income disparity amid a slowing economy, soaring welfare costs for an aging population and the ever-present threat posed by North Korea.
During the campaign, Moon said he wanted a summit meeting with North Korea in the first year of his presidency. Park declared no such meeting could take place unless Pyongyang apologizes for military provocation it has conducted in recent years.
Moon wanted modifications to the controversial free-trade agreement with the United States, while Park says it is generally satisfactory.
Both candidates support the long-standing military alliance with the United States.
Moon's campaign received a boost after an independent and a far-left candidate both dropped out. But despite their support it has not given him enough votes to defeat Park, a veteran lawmaker.
Her father took power in a 1961 coup and was South Korea's autocratic president until he was assassinated in 1979 by the chief of his intelligence agency.
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