Korea expresses hope for better alliance

President Moon Jae-in's congratulatory message to U.S. President Joe Biden on his inauguration, posted on Twitter, Thursday. Yonhap

By Kim Rahn

President Moon Jae-in and other political leaders here have issued congratulatory messages to U.S. President Joe Biden on his inauguration, expressing the hope that he will strengthen the bilateral alliance and help to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Moon's message, sent to Washington, Thursday, recognized Biden's efforts for national unity. He expressed the hope that Biden's leadership will not only achieve unity and prosperity but also cope with the multiple challenges facing the world, including the coronavirus pandemic and climate change.

The President said he wishes to meet with his counterpart in person in the near future "to build friendship and trust" and have a "candid conversation on issues of mutual concern," according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Kang Min-seok.

President Moon Jae-in / Yonhap

In a posting on social media, Moon also said he would stand by Biden's journey for "America United."

"The Republic of Korea has always had confidence in the path the U.S. has been taking to advance freedom. As an ally, we will continue to cooperate with the U.S. to keep the Korean Peninsula and the region peaceful and prosperous," he wrote in the post written in English.

"The U.S. will surely succeed in building back better, and the world will be amazed. The ROK will walk along with the new Biden administration from the start. We go together!"

Lee Nak-yon, head of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), praised the leadership Biden has shown in diplomacy and politics.

Democratic Party of Korea head Rep. Lee Nak-yon / Korea Times file

"I firmly believe President Biden's leadership in diplomacy will largely contribute to stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula," Lee wrote on Facebook.

He said South Koreans will support Biden during the course toward peace and denuclearization of the peninsula based on the 2018 agreement reached between former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore.

DPK spokesman Rep. Huh Young also saluted the start of the Biden administration.

"President Joe Biden's long experience, wisdom, his attitude toward history and leadership will help unify America and strengthen alliances in global society," Huh said in a press briefing.

Citing worldwide suffering from COVID-19, Huh added: "Cooperation and solidarity among countries based on democracy is the key to overcoming this difficulty. I hope the launch of the Biden administration will be the key to overcoming the crisis."

Rep. Bae June-young, a spokesman of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), also congratulated Americans who would have a "new start in history."

"As President Biden said in his inauguration speech, I hope the U.S. will become a trusted partner for peace, prosperity and stability in international society," Bae said in a statement.

The PPP emphasized the two nations are in an alliance forged by the Korean War. "When the U.S. again becomes a responsible leader in the global community, Korea will be there to go together. When the U.S. again vitalizes multilateral trade, Korea will be there to go together."

The minor opposition Justice Party expressed the expectation that the Korea-U.S. alliance would be "normalized" soon, through swift deals in defense cost-sharing and other security issues.

"We hope the Biden administration's reinstatement of the alliance will be different from the Trump administration's high-handedness toward the alliance," said Justice Party spokesman Jeong Ho-jin.

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