U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo congratulated South Korea on Wednesday for holding "successful" general elections in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pompeo said in a statement that the United States would like to congratulate South Korea on holding successful legislative elections, saying the country is a "model for the world."

He said South Korea's dedication to democratic values in the face of a global pandemic is a "hallmark of a truly free, open, and transparent society."

The secretary said that these qualities are necessary in facing the current crisis, key to South Korea's successful management of COVID-19, and a model for others around the world.

He also thanked Seoul for its partnership and commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.