Korean parties hail resignation of Mubarak as win for democracy

Published : Feb 12, 2011 - 12:31 Updated : Feb 12, 2011 - 12:31

Korean political parties on Saturday hailed the toppling of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as a victory for the Egyptian people toward democracy.

Mubarak's three-decade reign ended earlier Saturday, Korean time, after the besieged ruler decided to comply with protesters' requests for him to step down.

A junta of military commanders will now assume power in a culmination of the 18-day uprising in the most populous Arab nation.

Korea's ruling Grand National Party said the resignation was "a win for Egyptian democracy."

"We hope everyone in Egypt can reach a peaceful and rational conclusion to complete the democratization process," said Bae Eun-hee, the GNP spokeswoman, in a statement.

Cha Young, spokeswoman for the main opposition Democratic Party, also expressed hope for further development of democracy in Egypt "amid stability and peace."

"We'd like to pay our condolences to those who lost their lives during the fight," Cha said. "We'd also like to pay our respect to their grand victory."

Other minor parties also chimed in, saying they hoped the victory by the people would lead to the founding of a democratic government in Egypt.

(Yonhap News)