U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, left, listens as Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun delivers remarks prior to a meeting at the State Department in Washington, D.C., Dec. 23. EPA-Yonhap
Senior diplomats of South Korea and the United States agreed Monday to fully resume bilateral diplomatic and security schedules postponed in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law attempt, Seoul's foreign ministry said.
Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun and U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell held their first talks in Washington after Yoon's short-lived martial law imposition on Dec. 3 and his subsequent impeachment on Dec. 14, amid concerns that the political turmoil in Seoul could affect the bilateral alliance.
"The vice minister and the deputy secretary had discussions over schedules for high-level exchanges between South Korea and the U.S., and agreed to fully resume postponed diplomatic and security events and hold (them) at the earliest possible and mutually convenient time," the ministry said in a press release.
After Yoon's martial law declaration, Seoul and Washington put off a session of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), the allies' key nuclear deterrence body, which was set to be held early this month. The Korea portion of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's trip to the Indo-Pacific this month was also cancelled.
The cancellation and postponement have fueled concerns that the turmoil in Seoul could undermine security coordination between the allies amid growing concerns over North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile programs and its deepening military partnership with Russia.
During their talks, Kim and Campbell agreed to further solidify the allies' combined defense posture, sharing the view that Seoul and Washington should prepare against the possibility that Pyongyang could "misjudge" the current political situation in Seoul and engage in various provocations, according to the ministry.
Before the talks, Campbell stressed the U.S.' "strongest possible" commitment to South Korea.
"We are seeking to underscore our strongest possible commitment to the people and the country," Campbell told reporters. "We wish the ROK well in a challenging period. ROK is short for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea.
He also underscored Washington's "deep" belief in South Korea's democracy.
"I do want to just underscore here clearly our strong confidence in the ROK and our deep belief in the democracy and the constitutional provisions in the country," Campbell said.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, left, and Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun depart following remarks to the news media at the State Department in Washington, D.C., Dec. 23. EPA-Yonhap
Apparently mindful of allegations that there had been insufficient communication between Seoul and Washington right after Yoon's martial law declaration, Campbell underscored that U.S. officials have been "in the closest possible touch with our counterparts."
"Over the course of the last few weeks, we have relied on essential communications with our colleagues and partners in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and I want to particularly compliment Vice Foreign Minister Kim for being so determined to keep in touch to make sure that we are kept up to date on important developments," he said.
Kim expressed Seoul's appreciation to the U.S. for "unwavering" support for and trust in the bilateral alliance and South Korea's democracy.
"Let me assure you, deputy secretary and the United States, that the governance under acting President Han Duck-soo is operating stably and what will unfold in Korea from now on will follow the democratic procedure in accordance with the Constitution and rule of law," Kim told reporters.
Prime Minister Han took over as acting president immediately after the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon, suspending him from presidential duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate or unseat him from office.
Han is a well-known figure in the U.S. given that he served as South Korea's ambassador to the U.S. from 2009-2012.
Asked when a new NCG session will be held, the deputy secretary expressed expectations that "critical mechanisms" in the bilateral relationship will remain in place. (Yonhap)
