South Korea's new president says willing to visit rival N.Korea

The election was closely watched overseas at a time of high tension with North Korea, which is believed to be preparing for a sixth nuclear test and is working to develop a nuclear-tipped missile capable reaching the United States, presenting US President Donald Trump with perhaps his most pressing security issue.

Daniel Russel, Washington's former top diplomat for Asia, told Reuters the differences between Moon and U.S. President Donald Trump would mean inevitable friction, but "don't portend a crisis or failure" for relations.

Moon's administration also needs to figure out how to ease tensions with China stemming from the deployment of a USA anti-missile defence system in South Korea to guard against the threat of a North Korean missile strike.

Though there's a concern that THAAD could up the ante in an arms race, Beijing's concerns largely have to do with the missile defense system's powerful radar, which could be used to monitor activity inside China, experts say.

In a speech at the National Assembly hours after being declared the victor of Tuesday's election, Moon pledged to work for peace on the Korean Peninsula amid growing worry over the North's expanding nuclear weapons and missiles program. If needed, I will fly to Washington right away. "I will visit Beijing and Tokyo, and if it becomes possible, I will also go to Pyongyang", Moon said.

It also shows that Moon now has a very important task to perform, most importantly to work for social cohesion to overcome deep divisions and polarization in the country.

"This gives South Korea a flawless opportunity to take control over Korean Peninsula issues, particularly given the concerns that it's been excluded from discussions due to the leadership void", Kim said.

The winning candidate will be officially sworn in as South Korea's new president after the election commission finishes the vote count and declares the victor Wednesday morning.

Ahead of the swearing-in, Moon met with leading lawmakers of Liberty Korea - which advocates a hard line on the North and has repeatedly accused him of being a Pyongyang sympathiser who would "hand the whole country to the North once elected". His administration also needs to figure out how to ease tensions with China stemming from the deployment of a USA anti-missile defence system in the South Korea to guard against the threat of a North Korean missile strike. An extra budget may total about 10 trillion won ($8.8 billion), Kim Sang-jo, a Hansung University professor who counsels Moon on economic policy, said in an interview last month.

"I will do everything I can to build peace on the Korean Peninsula". Trade unionists who have been arrested and imprisoned simply for peacefully exercising their rights of expression, association, and public assembly (including protests and strikes) should have their cases urgently reviewed by the new government. "We must put the days of fierce competition behind and hold hands marching forward".

Moon began his duties earlier in the day by receiving a briefing about North Korea from Army Gen. After bowing to honour the former presidents, independence fighters and war heroes at the cemetery, Moon wrote "A country worth being proud of; a strong and reliable president!" in a visitor book.

The White House was quick to send a message of congratulation to Mr Moon.

Winning 41 per cent of the votes, he comfortably edged conservative Hong Joon-pyo and centrist Ahn Cheol-soo, who had 24 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively. The people are said to be more focused on expanding the job market and raising wages, and that is what drove the Moon campaign.

Moon's election could add volatility to relations with Washington, given his questioning of the deployment of the USA military's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) anti-missile system, but is not expected to significantly change the alliance, a USA official said.

Moon, who will immediately start his five-year term, vowed in a televised speech to be "a president for all the people".

Moon must also try to mend a society badly bruised by the corruption scandal that doomed Park's administration.

"North Koreans are pretty strict about dealing with the nuclear issue in the context of their relationship with the United States, and so that of course is one of the big challenges for Moon because he's going to want to improve inter-Korean relations but he doesn't have much leverage on the nuclear issue", said Yonsei University's Delury.