Liberal Moon Jae-in wins South Korea presidency polls

International Desk: South Korean voters have overwhelmingly chosen the liberal candidate Moon Jae-in as their next president, an exit poll suggests.

It put Mr Moon on 41.4%, with his nearest challenger, conservative Hong Joon-Pyo, on 23.3%.

Mr Moon favours greater dialogue with North Korea, in a change to current South Korean policy.

The early election was called after a corruption scandal led to the impeachment of the former president.

Park Geun-hye is accused of allowing a close friend to extort money from companies. She denies all wrongdoing.

Record turnout was expected and if Mr Moon's victory is confirmed he is likely to be sworn in on Wednesday.

The son of a refugee from North Korea, Mr Moon was jailed while a student in the 1970s for leading protests against military ruler Park Chung-hee - Ms Park's father.

Later, he served in South Korea's special forces before becoming a human rights lawyer.
Mr Moon, of the Democratic Party of Korea, unsuccessfully ran against Ms Park in 2012 elections.

Source: Agencies




Risingbd/May 9,2017/Mukul