Clinton congratulates new South Korean president

President Clinton has promised to continue America's close strategic partnership with South Korea following the election victory of the opposition leader, Kim Dae-jung.

According to Mr Clinton's spokesman, he made the promise during a telephone call to congratulate the South Korean president-elect.

Earlier, Mr Kim repeated that he would work with the International Monetary Fund which has announced a huge rescue package for the South Korean economy.

Speaking after his narrow victory in the presidential election, Mr Kim said it would not be possible to undertake economic reforms without pain.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service