Combined figures from the networks released after polls closed gave Ms Park 50.1% of the vote over Mr Moon's 48.9%.

"This is a victory brought by the people's hope for overcoming crisis and economic recovery," she told supporters in the capital Seoul.

Economic growth has fallen to about 2% after several decades in which it averaged 5.5%.

With the country having split almost equally along party lines, Ms Park will have to work hard to improve relations with her detractors.
BBC News