South Korean President Moon Jae-in has sent a letter to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to congratulate her on her recent re-election and invite her to visit his country in the near future, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday.

"I believe the outcome of the recent election reflects the German people's support and faith in the outstanding leadership you have shown, and that you will continue to spearhead Germany's development and prosperity," Moon said in his message, released by Cheong Wa Dae. 

The Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union, led by Merkel, won the German federal elections held Sunday (Berlin time). Moon's congratulatory message, dated Monday, was delivered to the German leader via Seoul's foreign ministry.

Moon and Merkel first met for a bilateral summit in Berlin before the start of the Group of 20 summit in Hamburg in July.

The South Korean leader invited Merkel to visit South Korea in the near future.

"I hope you would visit South Korea at a time convenient to you and discuss ways to improve our two countries' friendly relations and their cooperation on regional and global issues, including the peaceful resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue," he said. (Yonhap)