U.N. chief congratulates Lee on PyeongChang's victory

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, July 7 (Yonhap) -- U.N. Secretary-General Bank Ki-moon on Thursday congratulated President Lee Myung-bak on South Korea's selection as host of the 2018 Winter Olympics, an official said. Ban told Lee his leadership helped PyeongChang win the race and noted the international community was surprised that the South Korean alpine city won by "such a big margin," according to presidential spokesman Park Jeong-ha. Ban, who called Lee in this African capital from Geneva, Switzerland, also said he is proud of his native nation, the spokesman said. PyeongChang won a resounding victory over Munich, Germany, and Annecy, France, in an International Olympic Committee vote on Wednesday. PyeongChang received 63 votes, followed by Munich with 25 and Annecy with seven. Lee told Ban that the international community highly appreciates Ban's roles. Ban asked Lee to pay greater attention to Africa's development and Lee said that South Korea will actively seek development projects that will help African economies stand on their own, the spokesman said.