The public Chinese network CCTV on Oct. 25 reported that President Yoon Suk Yeol sent a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulating him on his reelection. (Screen capture from CCTV website)  

By Kang Gahui

President Yoon Suk Yeol has sent a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulating him on winning a third term in office.

The Office of the President in Seoul on Oct. 25 said, "Our government on Oct. 24 sent a congratulatory letter in the name of President Yoon to President Xi related to the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party," adding, "The letter contained a message of congratulations and hope for communication and cooperation to develop Seoul-Beijing relations."

That evening, the public Chinese network CCTV on its prime-time news show said, "President Yoon sent a congratulatory letter to celebrate President Xi's reelection."

The program quoted President Yoon as saying in the letter that he looks forward to close communication and cooperation to protect peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, adding that he hopes that China can prosper and flourish. 

Earlier on March 25, President Xi made a phone call to then President-elect Yoon to congratulate the latter's election victory. On President Yoon's inauguration day on May 10, the Chinese leader sent his Vice President Wang Qishan to deliver his congratulatory message.

kgh89@korea.kr