Korea welcomes new leadership in Botswana

Botswana's newly-elected President Duma Boko arrives to deliver his acceptance speech at the Mass Media Complex in Gaborone, Nov. 1. AFP-Yonhap

Korea welcomed Tuesday the election of Botswana's opposition leader Duma Boko as the new president, expressing hope for further advancing the relations with the African nation under the incoming government.

Boko, the opposition party candidate, was announced as the winner in Friday's election, in a major change that ended the ruling party's 58 years in power since Botswana's independence from Britain.

"We welcome the election of Duma Boko, the leader of the opposition coalition, as the next president," foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said in a commentary.

"Our government looks forward to further developing a future-oriented, friendly and cooperative relationship with the incoming Botswana government," Lee said.

Lee added that Korea appreciates former President Mokgweetsi Masisi's commitment to a smooth transfer of power to the new government, which contributes to advancing democratic governance in the country. (Yonhap)