New president vows to revitalise South Korea's economy

Pro-US former businessman Lee Myung-bak took the oath of office as South Korea’s new president today, vowing to revitalise the economy, strengthen relations with the US and deal with nuclear-armed North Korea.

Conservative Mr Lee, nicknamed The Bulldozer for the can-do image he honed as a construction company chief and later as mayor of Seoul, was sworn into office in a colourful outdoor ceremony at the National Assembly in the presence of tens of thousands of onlookers.