Minister Cho Tae-yeol Meets with US Ambassador Goldberg
1st Vice Minister Explains to Japan, Deputy Minister to China
Diplomatic authorities have activated communication lines with major countries, including the United States, immediately after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol was passed. This is to prevent the turmoil caused by the impeachment from spreading to diplomacy.
On the evening of the 14th, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul met with U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg at the National Assembly right after the impeachment motion against President Yoon was approved. Subsequently, First Vice Minister Kim Hong-gyun met with Koichi Mizushima, the Japanese Ambassador to Korea, and Vice Minister Jeong Byeong-won met with Fang Kun, the Charg? d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Korea, explaining the impeachment situation to each of them.
Minister Cho Tae-yul told Ambassador Goldberg, "Even under an acting authority system, there will be no change in the foundation of our foreign and security policy based on the Korea-U.S. alliance," adding, "Our government's determination to continuously strengthen and develop the Korea-U.S. alliance is firm." Earlier, Minister Cho was embroiled in controversy for not answering the U.S. ambassador's call immediately after the declaration of martial law on the night of the 3rd. When questioned at the National Assembly, he explained, "I postponed communication because I thought it could mislead the other party under such circumstances."
First Vice Minister Kim Hong-gyun and Vice Minister Jeong Byeong-won also urged close communication and cooperation with Japan and China, respectively.
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