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| China-Japan-Koreas |
| South Korea inaugurates new president |
| 2008-02-25 |
| Hard-charging former businessman Lee Myung-bak became South Korea's new president Monday with a mandate to boost the economy and take a tougher line on nuclear-armed North Korea. The conservative, pro-U.S. Lee, nicknamed "The Bulldozer" for the can-do image he honed as a construction company CEO and later as mayor of Seoul, was to take the oath of office at the National Assembly at 11 a.m. (0200 GMT). Lee's presidency ends a decade of liberal rule that critics say hindered economic growth, was too soft on communist North Korea and fomented tension with traditional close ally Washington. Tens of thousands of officials and ordinary citizens were to attend the inauguration, along with foreign dignitaries including U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 What great timing. South Korea and the US will be friends for about nine months. |
| Posted by: Big Phimble5120 2008-02-25 23:27 |