Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated on the 16th local time that “our commitment to the U.S.-South Korea alliance is ironclad.” During the briefing, when asked about the possibility of changes in U.S. foreign and security policy with South Korea following President Yoon Suk-yeol’s suspension, Miller responded, “The U.S.-South Korea alliance is not just an alliance between presidents but also between governments and people.”
Miller further noted, “Over the past few weeks, South Korea has demonstrated the resilience of its democracy. It is a democratic resilience that was hard-won decades ago, and we have watched as the Korean people have peacefully followed the processes outlined in their constitution.”
Additionally, Miller emphasized, “We are prepared to continue working with acting President Han Duck-soo and the Korean government as we did with President Yoon.”
John Kirby, the White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, also addressed the situation in Korea during a briefing. He said, “Of course, we continue to watch the events in Korea very closely. Korea remains an important ally.”
He also mentioned the phone call between President Joe Biden and Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the 15th, stating, “As President Biden told Acting President Han, this (U.S.-South Korea alliance) is an important relationship for us and an excellent alliance. The United States is committed to the alliance.”