The United States reiterated its strong support for South Korea following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. His removal came after a controversial declaration of martial law, which triggered widespread political turmoil.
US Emphasizes Alliance Commitment
To begin with, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, highlighted America’s steadfast partnership with South Korea. He described the alliance as “ironclad” and underscored its progress in recent years.
“Our commitment to the US-ROK alliance is ironclad. In recent years, that Alliance has made enormous strides,” Miller said.
Moreover, Miller confirmed the United States’ readiness to collaborate with Acting President Han Duck-soo. “We stand ready to continue this work with Acting President Han Duck-soo and the ROK government to advance our mutual interests and shared values,” he added.
Blinken Acknowledges Democratic Resilience
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the situation during a media briefing in Jordan. He praised South Korea’s ability to navigate the crisis through its democratic process.
“Korea has demonstrated its democratic resilience. We’ve seen it follow, peacefully, a process laid out in its constitution,” Blinken said.
Additionally, he reaffirmed support for the South Korean people and the enduring US-ROK alliance. “We strongly support the Korean people. We strongly support the ironclad alliance that joins our two countries together and that’s done so much over the last few years,” he added.
Political Turmoil in South Korea
Notably, the National Assembly impeached Yoon on Saturday due to his declaration of martial law. Lawmakers voted 204 to 85 in favor of his removal. Furthermore, three members abstained, and eight votes were declared invalid.
The impeachment required a two-thirds majority in the 300-member legislature. Interestingly, this was the second impeachment vote within just over a week.
As a result, Yoon is now suspended from office. South Korea’s Constitutional Court will determine whether to uphold or overturn the impeachment. In the meantime, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of acting president, as reported by Al Jazeera.
US-South Korea Relations Remain Strong
Overall, Yoon’s impeachment marks a significant moment in South Korea’s democratic history. Despite the political unrest, the United States remains committed to its alliance with South Korea. Together, both nations aim to strengthen their partnership and uphold stability in the region.