President Park Geun-hye spoke with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on the phone on Thursday,... reaffirming their countries' strong ties.
The next American president pledged to be with South Korea one-hundred percent.... and he vowed that the U.S. will protect its Asian ally against an unpredictable North Korea.
Song Ji-sun starts us off.
President Park Geun-hye and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's first conversation on the phone took place in a friendly atmosphere, using "easy" words. The phone conversation, which lasted about 10 minutes, was made less than 24 hours since Trump's victory.
Saying that the ROK-U.S. alliance has contributed to building peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, President Park expressed hope for a stronger alliance, and for the U.S. to exert a stronger leadership in making a peaceful and prosperous world.
She also highlighted the need for close coordination between Seoul and Washington to deter possible North Korean provocations, noting that Pyongyang has had the tendency of carrying out such actions during the transition period between administrations in the U.S.
Stressing that the allies will all be safe together -- Trump said he agrees one hundred percent with President Park... and that the U.S. is going to be with South Korea 100-percent, all the way - unwavering.


"President Park said she looks forward to further strengthen and develop the ROK-US alliance in various areas of common interests in the future. President-elect Trump said that the U.S. is with Korea 100% and that it will be steadfast and strong in protecting South Korea against the instablility in North Korea."

Park and Trump also said they look forward to meeting each other soon in the near future.


"Over the next months before Trump takes the Oval Office... President Park will seek to convey Seoul's stance and its strategies through various diplomatic channels,...in order to have them reflected in the new U.S. administration's policy directions.
Song