Seoul: South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Wednesday extended its congratulations to former U.S. President Donald Trump on his election victory, marking his return to the White House for a second term. The DP expressed optimism for a stronger alliance between Seoul and Washington under Trump's renewed leadership.According to Yonhap News Agency, Republican candidate Donald Trump secured more than 270 Electoral College votes in the U.S. presidential election, becoming the first president in over a century to achieve a non-consecutive second term. Cho Seung-rae, the senior spokesman for the DP, conveyed the party's hopes that Trump's second term could pave the way for new opportunities to enhance peace on the Korean Peninsula."The DP will work with Trump to ensure that the strong U.S.-South Korea alliance becomes more than just a blood alliance," Cho stated, emphasizing the party's commitment to bolstering bilateral ties.Additionally, former South Korean President Moon Jae-in congratulat ed Trump, expressing hopes for the resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States. Moon, whose presidency from 2017 to 2022 largely coincided with Trump's first term, highlighted their collaborative efforts towards achieving lasting peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.Reflecting on a trilateral meeting with Trump at Panmunjom in 2019, Moon remarked, "President Trump and I walked a path together for lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula and complete denuclearization, a path that no one had taken before." He expressed optimism that the stalled North Korea-U.S. talks would resume, further solidifying peace in Northeast Asia.
- October 12, 2026
