New SKorean President Seeks Stronger Ties

South Korean President-elect Lee Myung-bak on Friday promised to pursue pragmatic diplomacy and seek closer economic cooperation with regional powers.

Addressing his first news conference, the leader of the conservative Grand National Party who was elected president this week, promised to push North Korea hard to dismantle its nuclear program and improve its human rights record, Yonhap news agency reported.

Lee, who met with Ning Fukui, China’s ambassador to South Korea, said, We appreciate that China has the same thought as us that the disarmament of North Korea is for its own benefit, Yonhap reported.

We hope for continued support and cooperation from the next Korean government, Ning said in his remarks.