Warship sinking overshadows South Korean elections

The deadly sinking of a South Korean warship blamed on North Korea overshadowed local elections today – seen as a gauge of public sentiment toward the pro-American president’s handling of the security crisis.

Outrage over the sinking, which killed 46 sailors, bolstered support for President Lee Myung-bak’s ruling conservative Grand National Party ahead of the vote that will fill 3,991 positions – including key mayoral jobs that often serve as springboards for future national leaders, polls and analysts said.