S. Korea's Park wants Lee's help on budget

SEOUL, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- South Korean President-elect Park Geun-hye asked President Lee Myung-bak Friday for his help securing the budget to carry out by year's end, a spokeswoman said.

Park wants Lee's help to make good on her campaign pledges to improve the livelihoods of South Koreans, Park's spokeswoman, Cho Yoon-sun said.

"President-elect Park Geun-hye in particular stressed the budget for the people," Cho said. "She asked the president for his cooperation in passing the budget for the most pressing issue of [improving] the people's lives."

Park's proposal would increase next year's budget by $5.61 billion to fund welfare projects, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Cho said Lee had agreed to "actively cooperate."