US: "The ROK-US Alliance Is an Alliance Between Governments and Peoples, Not Just Presidents"

On the 16th (local time), the U.S. Department of State stated, "The ROK-U.S. alliance is not an alliance between presidents, but an alliance between governments and peoples."

Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the Department of State, responded to a question during a briefing about the possibility of changes in U.S. policy on ROK-U.S. diplomacy and security following the suspension of President Yoon Seok-yeol's duties due to the passage of an impeachment motion, saying, "Our commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance is ironclad."

Spokesperson Miller emphasized, "There will be no changes to the ROK-U.S. alliance." He also praised, "Over the past few weeks, South Korea has demonstrated the resilience of its democracy," adding, "This is the democratic resilience that was hard-won decades ago, and we have observed the Korean people peacefully following the constitutionally prescribed process." He further stressed, "Just as we cooperated with President Yoon, we are ready to continue working with Acting President Han Duck-soo and the Korean government."

The United Nations also expressed its position on the same day regarding the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon, stating, "We do not doubt the strength of the constitutional system of the Republic of Korea." St?phane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said at a regular briefing held at the UN Headquarters in New York, "We saw that the declaration of martial law lasted only a few hours, and that constitutional procedures are underway."

Earlier, on the 4th, UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres commented on the declaration and lifting of martial law by President Yoon, saying, "We welcome the lifting of martial law and continue to closely monitor the situation."