Obama Congratulates Park on Election

U.S. President Barack Obama has sent a message to president-elect Park Geun-hye congratulating her on her election win. "Though we are now faced with grave challenges from North Korea, the close cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. will play a pivotal role in effectively dealing with North Korea and other major pending issues," Obama wrote.

Park Sun-kyoo, a spokesman for Park Geun-hye, published messages to Park from Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday. They had been delivered the previous day by Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who was here for security talks.

Obama noted that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the Seoul-Washington alliance, adding that the shared values of the two countries are the basis for cooperation on global issues such as improvement of human rights, easing of poverty, environmental protection and the prevention of nuclear proliferation.

Clinton congratulated Park on her "historic" election as Korea's first female president. She said the event was "inspiring" and will set a good example for the U.S. as well as Asian nations.