The ruling People Power Party has expressed hope that the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. president will be a turning point for peace on the Korean Peninsula and will strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance. 

The party’s floor leader, Kweon Seong-dong, conveyed the stance Monday during a meeting of its emergency leadership committee as he extended his congratulations to Trump on his inauguration. 

Kweon said the ruling camp will exert all-out efforts to realize Seoul and Washington’s joint prosperity based on trust in the alliance and their mutual commitment to freedom. 

The party’s chief policymaker, Kim Sang-hoon, also expressed hope of a stronger alliance in Trump’s second term, while also expressing concerns over the impact that the new U.S. administration’s protectionist trade policies could have on South Korea’s economy.