WASHINGTON, Dec 19 Kyodo (EDS: UP...

WASHINGTON, Dec 19 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH STATEMENT by way of WHITE HOUSE, STATE DEPARTMENT)

U President George W Bush onward Thursday congratulated Roh Moo Hyun in succession his victory in South Korea's presidential election and pledg to work closely with the fresh South Korean government.

''The president turn the thoughtss forward to working closely with President-elect Roh as the United States and the Republic of Korea address the many challenges and opportunities we face together,'' White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said in a statement.

The U State Department also issued a statement congratulating Roh and reaffirmed the importance of the brace countries cooperating in resolving North Korean issues.

''We view his election as an opportunity for us to work with him and his regulation to build even stronger relationship for this fresh century,'' it said.

The State Department statement said Roh has uttered his strong support for the US-South Korean alliance as a deterrent against threat from North Korea.

''Together, we faith to further modernize and improve the alliance,'' it said.

Roh a candidate from the ruling Millennium Democratic Party, won 4891% of the promiseds in the presidential election and his main rival to leeward Hoi Chang ended up with 4659% according to a final official return

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