The South Korean government welcomed U.S. President George W. Bush's re-election. President Roh Moo hyun congratulated President Bush on winning his second-term in office in a message on Thursday. President Roh also expressed satisfaction on the development of South Korea-U.S. relations in the past two years and said he hoped the two countries continue to work together in establishing peace and stability not only on the Korean peninsula but around the world.

"We wholeheartedly welcome the re-election of incumbent President Bush, who is the candidate for the U.S Republican Party, in the U.S. presidential election. His victory is a choice made by the American people based on his leadership in the past four years."

While congratulating Bush's re-election in an official statement, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kim Jong-min added that South Korea will cooperate closely with the U.S. to resolve the North Korean nuclear standoff. He also said the South Korean government hopes that Bush's second term in office will serve as a chance for bilateral relations to develop into a more dynamic and comprehensive one.

Members of the country's ruling Uri Party predicted a continuity in the Bush administration's policy towards the region and anticipated that six-party talks focused on North Korea would pick up momentum. The opposition Grand National Party gathered to examine the impact and possible changes in Washington's policy toward Korean issues while focusing on ways to expand party-level dialogue channels with U.S.

Arirang TV