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President Lee Myung-bak on Wednesday sent a letter of congratulation to Barack Obama on his election as the next U.S. president, expressing hopes for the development of two countries' relations. Lee said Obama's "historic victory shows well how eagerly Americans want a leader who can bring 'genuine change.,¡¯¡± Lee wrote. ¡°I look forward to meeting and working with you."
The Korea-U.S. strategic alliance for the 21st century has been set on the right course,¡± he added. ¡° It can promote peace in the entire world as well as in Northeast Asia. I believe in the power of partnership."
Lee called on the president-elect ¡°to seek solid cooperation and coordination among nations in finding solutions to the global financial crisis. I promise that Korea too will fully cooperate with the U.S. in this regard."
In a statement, Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Lee Dong-kwan said the Korean "government welcomes candidate Obama's election. We believe his election is the outcome of the American voters' support of him as a new voice for hope and change."
He said President Lee and Obama ¡°have a common vision for change, considering that President Lee has set out change and reform as important values for his government." The spokesman said the Korean "government is paying attention to the fact that president-elect Obama has stressed the importance of the Korea-U.S. alliance and supported the development of solid bilateral relations."
Lee sent a separate letter to vice president-elect Joseph Biden. In the letter, Lee thanked him for his efforts to maintain the Korea-U.S. alliance and his support for Korea joining the U.S. visa waiver program. "I expect we will closely cooperate with each other in the future,¡± he added.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
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