Moon thanks Modi for congratulations in Korean language

Seoul, May 11 (IANS) South Korean President Moon Jae-in has expressed his gratitude to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi a day after the Indian leader tweeted in the Korean language to congratulate Moon on his election.

"President Moon held his first telephone conversation with Indian Prime Minister Modi since his inauguration. The President said he had seen Modi's congratulatory message posted the night before in Korean language, and said he was grateful," Yoon Young-chan, the Chief Presidential Secretary for public relations, told a briefing.

Moon took office on Wednesday, only hours after his victory in the presidential by-election the day before was confirmed by the election authorities, Yonhap news agency reported.

Modi, in his 25-minute conversation with Moon, said he has always promoted South Korea as a role model for his own country's economic development, according to Yoon.

Moon praised Modi for his leadership, saying India was becoming a global leader on various international issues, including North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Yoon said that President Moon highly evaluated India's participation in international sanctions against the North.

"While supporting South Korea's position and opposing North Korea's nuclear development, President Moon explained his own policy of employing both sanctions and dialogue at the same time to help resolve the North Korean nuclear issue," Yoon said.

Moon expressed his hope for a meeting with Modi in the near future. Modi invited the South Korean President to India, also expressing hope to hold bilateral talks at upcoming international meetings like G20 summit slated for July.