Across Asia: Republic of Korea

Setback for ruling party

The Republic of Korea's (ROK) ruling party lost two key contests in parliamentary elections, which could hamper President Lee Myung-bak's efforts to win approval for his business-friendly reforms for Asia's fourth largest economy.

The main opposition Democratic Party decisively won two crucial contests in districts around Seoul and a rural seat in Wednesday's poll. Lee told top economic officials yesterday that voters had sent a message that the government should step up creating jobs.