South Korean president greets Cambodian PM for election victory

South Korea's President Park Geun-hye extended her congratulations to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on the victory of his party in the July 28 parliamentary election. "I would like to convey my warmest congratulations to you and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) on your victory in the 2013 general election, and on receiving the renewed trust of the Cambodian people," she said in a congratulatory message to Hun Sen late Tuesday which was released on Wednesday. Park firmly believed that under Hun Sen's leadership, Cambodia would continue to achieve political stability and economic development. "I have no doubt, in particular, that Your Excellency's wisdom and efforts will lead Cambodia to a new era," she said. "Noting with satisfaction the ever-growing friendly ties between our two countries, I am looking forward to working closely with you in all areas of mutual benefit," she added. The CPP of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen won the July 28 election with 68 out of the 123 parliamentary seats and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy got 55 seats. However, the CNRP rejected the outcome, claiming serious vote fraud and demanding the establishment of an independent committee to look into the alleged irregularities. But the CPP ruled out the proposed committee, explaining that it was against the country's constitution and the results of election were already ratified. King Norodom Sihamoni invited all the 123 elected lawmakers last Saturday for the opening session of the new parliament on Sept. 23, but Sam Rainsy said on Tuesday during the closing of a three-day mass protest that the CNRP would boycott the session if there was no an appropriate solution to the alleged vote fraud. He warned to call another mass protest before the session. Prime Minister Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy held talks on Monday and Tuesday, aiming at finding a way to break through the political impasse, but reached no any remarkable agreement. Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.