The top leaders of China, Japan and Russia have congratulated Korean President-elect Park Geun-hye on her election victory, her party said Saturday.
Park, the 60-year-old daughter of the late authoritarian president, Park Chung-hee, was elected the country's first female president in Wednesday's election. The conservative candidate of the ruling Saenuri Party won just over 51 percent of the vote against main opposition Democratic United Party candidate Moon Jae-in's 48 percent.
Park will succeed President Lee Myung-bak, who is barred by law from seeking re-election, in late February.
In a handwritten letter, Chinese President Hu Jintao expressed hope that the two nations will continue to develop their ties, according to a Saenuri Party press release.
"China places high importance on its relations with South Korea," Hu was quoted as saying. "We will make efforts to strengthen our good-neighborly and friendly ties, expand our mutually beneficial cooperation, raise our strategic partnership to a higher level by strengthening our international and regional cooperation, and bring more welfare to both nations and our peoples."
Xi Jinping, China's incoming leader, also said in a handwritten message that improved bilateral exchanges and cooperation would bring about benefits to the peoples of the both countries.
"I will make efforts to improve bilateral relations and reciprocal cooperation in a new era and new political situation," he said, according to Park's office.
Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda also offered his congratulations in a letter, saying the neighboring nations have recently worked closely to coordinate their policies on North Korea and "added depth" to their economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
"Japan and Korea not only share basic values but also share common interests in issues such as securing peace and prosperity in East Asia," Noda wrote, according to the press release.
Russian President Vladimir Putin wished the president-elect success in leading state affairs.
"Relations between Korea and Russia are developing in a very successful manner," he said. "I am eager to work together with South Korea to strengthen our cooperation in politics, economy and trade, science and technology and various other fields."(Yonhap)