Pompeo congratulates S. Korea on 'successful' elections

WASHINGTON, April 15 (Yonhap) -- U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo congratulated South Korea on Wednesday for holding "successful" parliamentary elections in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, saying the country is a model for the world. South Koreans went to the polls Wednesday to elect all 300 members of the National Assembly, becoming the first nation to conduct large-scale elections since the global outbreak of COVID-19. "The United States would like to congratulate the Republic of Korea on holding successful legislative elections," Pompeo said in a statement. "The ROK's dedication to democratic values in the face of a global pandemic is a hallmark of a truly free, open, and transparent society -- qualities that are necessary in facing the current crisis, key to the Republic of Korea's successful management of COVID-19, and a model for others around the world," he said. "We thank the Republic of Korea for its partnership and its commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific." With the vote count still under way, the ruling Democratic Party was forecast to win a majority as voters apparently backed the government's efforts to contain the virus. Separately, Pompeo thanked South Korea for sending 750,000 Korean-made coronavirus test kits to the United States. "Partners and allies stand together. #WeAreInThisTogether," he tweeted. hague@yna.co.kr (END)