SINGAPORE, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Singaporean leaders have sent congratulatory letters to Moon Jae-in, who was elected as president of Republic of Korea on Tuesday, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) announced on Wednesday.
Singaporean President Tony Tan Keng Yam extended his warmest congratulations to Moon Jae-in in a letter on Wednesday, according to MFA's statement.
President Tan said relations between Singapore and South Korea are warm and substantive, underpinned by strong economic cooperation and close people-to-people links.
"Our two countries have benefited from these close ties as we work to deepen our cooperation in the bilateral context as well as at multilateral fora," Tan said. "I am confident that the partnership between Singapore and the Republic of Korea will continue to strengthen under your leadership."
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted that Moon's victory "reflects the confidence of the people of the Republic of Korea in his leadership and vision for the country."
Lee said Singapore and the Republic of Korea face similar developmental challenges, including aging populations and the need to restructure the economies.
"We also share similar views on regional and international issues, including the importance of a peaceful and nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and an open international trading system," Lee said.
"I look forward to working with you to further broaden and deepen our bilateral relationship, as well as strengthen the partnership between ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Republic of Korea," he wrote.
