President's allies win parliamentary majority in South Korea

Conservatives allied with South Korea’s president have won a thin majority in parliament after voters endorsed his plans to revitalise the economy, embrace the US and talk tough with North Korea.

President Lee Myung-bak took power in February pledging to streamline government, tear down barriers for business and improve ties with Washington.

The win by his Grand National Party in the parliamentary vote will make it easier for Mr Lee to push through his economic proposals.

The GNP won 153 seats in the 299-member National Assembly, prevailing in 131 local district races and taking 22 seats in party-list proportional voting.

The results are conclusive, though vote counting has not been completed in two remote districts.