Cheong Wa Dae welcomes Obama's election as U.S. president

(ATTN: UPDATES with more details from 4th para)
By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Nov. 5 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, on Wednesday welcomed Barack Obama's election as new U.S. president.

"President Lee Myung-bak sent a congratulatory message to both Obama and his
running mate Joe Biden and expressed hope for further development of bilateral
relations between South Korea and the U.S.," Cheong Wa Dae said in a statement.
"Obama's election victory is a result of the American people's support for new
changes and hope," said the statement.
Democrat Obama was elected the United States's first black president Tuesday
night (U.S. time), besting Republican rival John McCain.
The statement noted that President Lee and Obama seem to share a common
philosophy, as the South Korean leader has consistently promoted "change and
reform" as his state policy priority.
It also said the South Korean government takes note of Obama's emphasis on the
importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, as well as his support for a solid
development of U.S. relations with South Korea, a key U.S. ally in Asia.
"Vice president-elect Joseph Biden, in particular, is expected to play a great
role in boosting the South Korea-U.S. bilateral alliance, as he spearheaded a
Senate resolution passed in February to congratulate Lee on his presidential
election and has since taken other moves to improve bilateral relations," said
the statement.
"The South Korean government is strongly convinced that Obama's election win
would elevate the future-oriented alliance between South Korea and the U.S. to a
higher level."
ycm@yna.co.kr
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