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US President Joe Biden speaks about strengthening domestic production on March 9. (AP/Yonhap News)

The White House congratulated Yoon Suk-yeol, South Korea’s president-elect, in a message sent Wednesday (local time) and said it looked forward to the new administration strengthening cooperation with the US.

According to reporting by Reuters, a White House spokesperson had said, “We congratulate President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol.”

“The alliance between the US and the Republic of Korea, our economies and our people is ironclad. President Biden looks forward to continue working with the new President-elect to further expand our close cooperation,” the spokesperson continued.

The US media expressed great interest in the Korean presidential election, quickly conveying vote counts in what ended up being a very tight race. The New York Times also devoted special coverage for the Korean presidential election on its online version starting the day before the elections, providing breaking news including live breakdowns of votes.

“The election was watched closely by both South Korea’s neighbors and the United States government. Mr. Yoon’s election might upend the current president’s progressive agenda, especially his policy of seeking dialogue and peace with North Korea,” the paper said when reporting on Yoon’s victory.

By Lee Bon-young, Washington correspondent

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