On the 21st, the foreign ministers of South Korea and the United States agreed to coordinate schedules for an early face-to-face meeting during a phone call.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the same day, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken exchanged views on the current domestic situation and South Korea-U.S. relations during the call.
Minister Cho emphasized the need to ensure that the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains steady and continues to develop even under the acting presidential authority, and urged joint efforts to allow the achievements of South Korea-U.S. and South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation to continue progressing under the new U.S. administration.
Secretary Blinken expressed strong agreement, stating that he has full confidence in Acting President Han Duck-soo as a capable and respected leader under the current acting authority system.
He also stated that the United States highly values and trusts South Korea's democracy and its resilience.
Furthermore, he reaffirmed the unwavering U.S. defense commitment and proposed close communication and cooperation until the end of the Biden administration to advance the South Korea-U.S. alliance and South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation.
Both sides had also spoken on the 6th, exchanging views on the emergency martial law situation and reaffirming the firmness of the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
The face-to-face meeting between the South Korea and U.S. foreign ministers is expected to take place by mid-next month at the latest.
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