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Events on the Korean peninsula tend to be dominated by North-South relations. But the results in South Korea's parliamentary election could have a profound effect on the country and the Far East. By a narrow margin the ruling conservative party has won an overall majority which gives an enormous boost to the new President Lee Myung-bak who is seeking to introduce wide-ranging economic reforms.
The turnout was a record low of 46 per cent, reflecting the fact the parliamentary polls come little more than three months after Lee's hard-fought presidential election victory. But the message was still clear; South Korea seems set to enter a period of profound economic reform. It could also usher in an era of heightened tension with North Korea as Lee has promised to adopt a less conciliatory stance than his predecessor, especially over Pyongyang dismantling its nuclear weapons programme. Events in the peninsula will be keenly watched in Washington and Beijing.
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