Austin’s Defense, Intended to Visit Korea and Japan, Ends Up Visiting Only Japan
Continued Negative Impact on Diplomacy and Security
State Department: “Yoon’s Impeachment Process Expected to Be Handled According to Korean Constitution”
“US-Korea Alliance Transcends Any Specific President”,
‘[Seoul Economics]’,
‘The U.S. Secretary of Defense’s visit to South Korea has been postponed due to the imposition and lifting of martial law and the impeachment situation. The security aftermath from the martial law appears to be ongoing. The U.S. State Department expressed continued support for the rule of law and democracy in Korea concerning the impeachment bill against President Yoon Suk-yeol being discussed in South Korea’s National Assembly.’,
‘On the 5th (local time), the U.S. Department of Defense announced that Secretary Lloyd Austin would soon visit Japan. While it was initially reported that he was planning a visit to Korea, he will not be visiting Korea this time. Pat Ryder, the Defense Department’s spokesperson, stated in a briefing that Austin will be delivering a keynote speech at the Reagan Defense Forum in California on the 7th and will visit Japan thereafter. He evaluated that this visit, Austin’s 13th to the Indo-Pacific region, is part of the department’s historical efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the region and advance a shared vision for peace, security, and prosperity.’,
‘Regarding this, Reuters cited an anonymous U.S. government official who said, “Austin was planning a visit to South Korea in the near future, but decided it’s not the right time.” This is interpreted as related to the martial law crisis on the 3rd, the subsequent submission of the impeachment bill against President Yoon, and the resignation of Austin’s counterpart, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.’,
‘Reuters noted that the push for the U.S. Defense Secretary’s visit to Korea came amid the region’s geopolitical significance. North Korea has sent over 10,000 troops to the Ukraine conflict, formed a de facto military alliance with Russia, and current situations suggest Russia’s military technology is being transferred to North Korea.’,
‘The 4th Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting and the 1st NCG table-top exercise (TTX), which were scheduled to be held from the 4th to the 5th in Washington D.C., were also postponed indefinitely amid the fallout from the martial law situation.’,
‘In this context, Vedant Patel, a deputy spokesperson for the State Department, responded to questions about Korea’s impeachment situation during a briefing, stating that the impeachment process is an internal procedure of Korea and expected to be handled according to the South Korean Constitution. Patel emphasized continued support for Korea’s rule of law and democracy, which the alliance views as fundamental pillars.’,
‘Patel added that the partnership with South Korea transcends any particular president or government, extending across multiple administrations, whether Republican or Democrat, and remains consistent in Korea as well. He also expressed concern about the declaration of martial law on the 3rd, noting there are many questions about decisions surrounding this development that need to be answered.’,
‘He noted that the activation of martial law and such measures’ potential impact on individual rights and freedoms should certainly be taken seriously. The lifting of martial law following a parliamentary vote, he stated, demonstrates Korea’s democratic resilience during uncertain times. He expressed encouragement regarding this resilience of Korean democracy during this ordeal and uncertainty, reaffirming the solid standing of the alliance and warning against any provocations or threats to it, emphasizing that the American people stand with the Korean people.’