Trump congratulates South Korea's Moon on election win

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday congratulated the liberal victor in South Korea's recent presidential polls for his "great election victory".

During a readout of his call with Moon Jae-in, the leaders "agreed to continue to strengthen the United States-Republic of Korea alliance and to deepen the enduring friendship between our two countries.

"President Trump said he looks forward to working with President Moon and invited him to visit Washington at an early date. President Moon accepted the invitation," the White House said in a readout of the call.

The White House did not specify a date for the visit.

Moon of the Democratic Party was the clear front-runner in polls before the election and experts expected a swing from the previous conservative government.

South Korea's new leader is seen as more willing to cooperate with North Korea than his predecessors.

He has been cautious about the recent decision to deploy a controversial U.S. anti-missile system in South Korea. The system has vexed not only its intended target, North Korea, but China as well.

Beijing has concerns the system could be used to spy on its airspace.

There has been added controversy regarding Trump’s recent request South pay the Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System's $1 billion cost, despite a previous agreement that Seoul would provide the land and Washington would pay for the battery itself.

While South Korea insists the original deal remains in force, the local economy has already paid a relatively heavy price for THAAD due to alleged Chinese sanctions stemming from Beijing’s open disapproval of the system.