Opposition candidate Yoon wins South Korea's presidency

By Islamuddin Sajid

ANKARA (AA) - South Korea's main opposition candidate Yoon Suk-yeol was elected president after running neck and neck with his rival Lee Jae-myung from the ruling party, local media said on Thursday.

According to unofficial results, Yoon, candidate of the People Power Party, received 48.59% of the votes in Wednesday's election, while Lee of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, garnered 47.79% as 98% of the votes were counted, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Lee, who conceded defeat, congratulated his opponent.

"I did my best but failed to live up to your expectations," he said. "All responsibility lies with me. I extend my congratulations to candidate Yoon Suk-yeol," Yonhap quoted Lee as saying in his statement read at the party headquarters.