YONHAP NEWS

(LEAD) S. Koreans hail their new leader

   By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Feb. 25 (Yonhap) -- Tens of thousands of South Koreans cheered in joy as their new leader Lee Myung-bak walked toward the inaugural platform to take the oath of office Monday.

   The green of the National Assembly plaza lawn was barely visible as over 60,000 Korean and non-Korean spectators sat or stood, waiting to watch Lee being sworn in.

   Lee and the new first lady Kim Yoon-ok entered the Assembly plaza around 11 a.m., waving their hands in return to the cheers.

   "I have faith that the new president will do well," said office worker Yoon Tae-sik, who came from South Korea's southern port city Busan to attend Lee's inauguration ceremony. "I can see the determination in his eyes."
"I am so happy to be watching this historical moment with my own eyes," said 42-year-old merchant Kwak Sun-hae, who flew to Seoul from Virginia. "I hope that the new president will also pay interest to the livelihoods of overseas Koreans."
Lee's single five-year presidential term formally began as of midnight Sunday, amid the sound of the Bosingak Bell in downtown Seoul, which was rung 33 times by selected representatives.

   In his inaugural address Monday, Lee unveiled his vision to achieve national goals based on a market economy and pragmatic ideals.

   "I will serve the people and bring peace to this nation, and invigorate the economy and unite our society," he said. "I will faithfully carry out our duties to the international community and contribute to the prosperity of all peoples."
A record-breaking number of participants were invited to Lee's inauguration, including 30,000 citizens, who were selected randomly. Because of Lee's wish to invite various people, citizens were picked from various social sectors and from various regions, officials said.

   Fifty-two citizen representatives, including elementary school student Lee Dam-hyeon and South Korea's star figure skater Kim Yu-na, sat in the front row of the platform, all smiles as Lee walked in.

   "It's my birthday today," said housewife Kang Sam-soon, 52, who sent a letter to Lee's inauguration preparation committee last month, asking to attend the ceremony on her special day. "I have my hopes up that the country will see great developments under Lee. I have been rooting for Lee ever since he was the mayor of Seoul."
A small girl in a wheelchair smiled and waved along with others.

   Shim Sun-ah, 9, was selected to attend Lee's inauguration after her mother sent a request that revealed her daughter's tragic story. Shim has been suffering from leukemia since last year and her mother is afraid that she may not survive for long.

   "I wanted my daughter to have a little something to remember and to be happy about this year," said Shim's mother.

   After addressing the audience, Lee sat on the platform beside outgoing President Roh Moo-hyun and his wife Kwon Yang-sook to watch the rest of the ceremony, including performances by top singers and dancers.

   Former presidents Kim Dae-jung, Kim Young-sam and Chun Doo-hwan were also present at the ceremony, along with Assembly Speaker Kim Won-ki, Supreme Court Chief Justice Lee Yong-hoon, Constitutional Court President Lee Kang-kook, outgoing Prime Minister Han Duk-soo and Chief of National Election Commission Ko Hyun-chul.

   The right-leaning new president has pledged sweeping reforms for the nation after a decade of liberal rule under Roh and his predecessor Kim Dae-jung. Lee is from the conservative Grand National Party.

   Lee's rise to power signals significant shifts not only in the nation's political ideology, but also in the economic sector.

   Lee, a former Hyundai chief executive officer, has committed to carry out "business-friendly" policies including loosening restrictions and inducing foreign investment to come here. Calling for "pragmatic diplomacy," Lee has also signaled he wants stronger ties with Washington while taking a tougher stance on the nuclear standoff with North Korea.

   Recent polls show South Korea has high expectations of Lee.

   Up to 75.1 percent of citizens said Lee will "do well," local broadcaster KBS said Monday, citing a Feb. 23 poll of 1,000 adults nationwide. Although the figure was lower by 10 percent points from a similar poll conducted last month, the survey showed that the majority still have high hopes for Lee.

   Lee's inauguration, however, has been clouded by political confrontations, which have led to Lee being sworn in without his Cabinet in place. Lee's 16 new Cabinet minister nominees are currently under fire for alleged real estate speculation and other methods of improperly acquiring wealth.

   The inauguration ceremony will end with Lee seeing off outgoing President Roh, who will immediately travel to Bongha, his hometown in South Gyeongsang province.

   Lee will then be off to the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae to greet visiting delegates from the United States, Japan, China, Russia and other countries.

   hayney@yna.co.kr
(END)