*Administration of Barack Obama, 2012 *

**Statement on the Election in South Korea **

*December 19, 2012 *

I congratulate President-elect Park Geun-hye on her success in the election held on Wednesday. I look forward to working closely with the Park administration to further enhance our extensive cooperation with the Republic of Korea on a wide range of important bilateral, regional, and global issues. The U.S.-R.O.K. alliance serves as a linchpin of peace and security in the Asia Pacific, and our two nations share a global partnership with deep economic, security, and people-to-people ties.

I also wish to reiterate my admiration for all that President Lee has done to strengthen U.S.-R.O.K. relations and promote a global Korea.

*Categories:* Statements by the President : South Korea, elections*.*

*Names:* Lee Myung-bak; Park Geun-hye*.*

*Subjects:* South Korea : Defense relationship with U.S.; South Korea : President; South Korea : President-elect; South Korea : Presidential election; South Korea : Relations with U.S.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201200958.