NEW YORK, Feb 22, 2008 (AFP) - Whirlpool Corp. welcomed Friday a US government investigation into South Korea's LG Electronics Inc. following a patent infringement complaint filed by the US firm.

Whirlpool, a major US appliance maker, said it is asking the International Trade Commission (ITC) to issue an order to stop LG from selling and importing products into the United States that infringe on five patents related to its refrigerator business.

Whirlpool said it believes that such an order would affect the majority of the refrigerators sold in the US by LG.

'We are gratified that the ITC has begun an investigation as a result of our complaint against LG,' said Phil Pejovich, vice president, refrigeration, Whirlpool North America Region.

The ITC announced Thursday it was launching, based on the Whirlpool complaint, an investigation of LG Electronics and its US and Mexican affiliates.

The commission noted that in instituting the investigation it had made no decision on the merits of the case.

Whirlpool filed the complaint against LG on January 23.

LG Electronics on Friday responded, saying: 'The company is cooperating fully with the ITC investigation and is confident that it will prevail in this matter.'