S Korea liberals likely to win power, may bring softer N Korea stance

Seoul

THE liberal politician expected to succeed disgraced Park Geun Hye as South Korea's next president could significantly soften Seoul's stance towards North Korea and possibly delay deployment of a US missile-defence system that has enraged China.

A Constitutional Court last Friday dismissed Ms Park from office after upholding her impeachment over a corruption scandal involving chaebol, the family-run conglomerates that dominate Asia's fourth biggest economy, and which could also face reform under a liberal leader.