South Korea-US Alliance Highlighted in Today’s Talks
Trump’s Silence… ‘Passing Concerns’ Remain,
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, ‘Tony Blinken, the US Secretary of State under the Joe Biden administration, visited South Korea on the 5th, marking the beginning of a ‘farewell tour’ just two weeks before his term ends. Blinken is scheduled to hold a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yong on the 6th. This marks the first meeting between South Korean and US ministerial officials since the martial law incident on December 3.’,
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, ‘During this foreign ministerial meeting, the two countries plan to discuss various issues including the South Korea-US alliance, South Korea-US-Japan cooperation, and the North Korean nuclear issue. They are expected to deliver a message to dispel the cold wave that had flowed between the two countries around the December 3 martial law incident, emphasizing that the strengthening of the South Korea-US alliance built under the Biden administration should continue into the Trump administration.’,
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, ‘The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hopeful that Secretary Blinken’s visit will serve as an opportunity to boost external credibility during a period of political chaos. The plan is to reassure the international community that diplomacy with the key ally, the United States, is being carried out normally, thereby alleviating concerns about South Korea. Blinken is also expected to meet with Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok.’,
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, ‘Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, stated regarding this meeting that “the US will reaffirm the ironclad South Korea-US alliance through meetings with senior Korean government officials.” John Kirby, the White House National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, also noted that “Acting President Choi is focused on stabilizing governance.”’,
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, ‘Previously, the US canceled the planned South Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting, tabletop exercises, and the visit of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin following President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3. Diplomatic sources suggest that these actions were taken because South Korea did not inform the US in advance about the martial law, and communication between the two countries was not smooth immediately after the declaration.’,
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, ‘However, the South Korean government has not been able to increase contact with the soon-to-be inaugurated second Trump administration, raising concerns about a prolonged diplomatic vacuum. Trump’s administration officials have not made any comments regarding South Korea since the martial law incident, heightening worries about a ‘Korea passing.’\n’