Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) –The new South Korean president Lee Myung-bak, yesterday declared that he was “not afraid of criticising the authoritarian regime in North Korea, because it still has a lot of road ahead of it regarding the process of democratisation and human rights”.  Lee a top leader of the conservative National Party was elected by a landslide majority.

During his first presidential press conference, Lee – elected on the heels of two liberal presidents – explains: “If we try to point out North Korea’s shortcomings, with affection, I think that would go a long way toward improving North Korean society”.  

Moreover, the President affirmed that he wanted to review the policy of humanitarian aid to the North.  Despite this, various analysts agree that there “will be no major changes, as long as Pyongyang keeps its commitment to nuclear disarmament”.  According to Lee, “The most important thing is for North Korea to get rid of its nuclear weapons, and cease being a threat for us and the international community. The North must abandon its nuclear weapons program to develop its stagnant economy”.