The White House congratulated President-elect Moon Jae-in of South Korea Tuesday and said the U.S. hopes to “strengthen the alliance” between Washington and Seoul.
White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the U.S. joined with South Koreans “in celebrating their peaceful, democratic transition of power.”
The election occurred amid rising tensions with North Korea over Pyongyang’s nuclear-weapon and ballistic missile programs. The U.S. recently deployed an anti-missile defense system in South Korea.
Mr. Moon won the election after former President Park Geun-hye was forced from office in an impeachment scandal over corruption, with mass protests in the streets.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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