Challenges waiting for S Korea's president-elect

South Korea's president-elect Park Geun-hye faces tough challenges in the push for sweeping political and economic reforms amid a slowing economy and deepening partisan divide.

Her pledge to engage the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) also faces hurdles as the belligerent neighbour shows no signs of easing tension following its recent rocket launch.

The 18th presidential election heightened Koreans' expectations for a fix to confrontational politics, the chaebol-dominated economy and a fragile social security system.

"The presidential-elect will face tremendous pressure to implement the pledges criticised for lacking viability such as in terms of financing," politics professor Yun Seong-yi of Kyung Hee University said.

"First and foremost, the winner should devote much time to applaud the competitor."

The campaign aggravated the political antagonism between conservatives and liberals in a close election.

After her victory was confirmed, president-elect Park called for reconciliation and national unity.

Political reform topped her campaign agenda in response to rising public criticism of partisan fighting, corruption and frequent parliamentary gridlock.

Park is poised to push for a series of measures to reduce lawmakers' privileges, balance presidential power and strengthen oversight over ranking officials' corruption.

Among other measures, she pledges to introduce an open primary system in which both the ruling and opposition parties would elect their parliamentary candidates through a public vote.

She also wants to restrict lawmakers' exemption from liability and remove their immunity from arrest while on duty.

To end the "imperialistic" presidential system, Park has vowed to revive the recommendation of Cabinet members by the prime minister and bestow authority for personnel of affiliated organisations to each minister.

To tackle irregularities surrounding the president's associates and relatives, Park promises to introduce a special investigator system to be handled by the National Assembly. A permanent special prosecutors' team will be put in place to look into any corruption of high-ranking government officials.