SEOUL – South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, held a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden, pledging to maintain and strengthen the US-South Korea alliance, according to a statement from Mr. Han’s office on Dec 15.
“South Korea will carry out its foreign and security policies without disruption and strive to ensure the South Korea-US alliance is maintained and developed steadfastly,” Mr. Han was quoted as saying.
President Biden reassured Mr. Han of the alliance’s strength, emphasizing that it remains “ironclad.” Biden also highlighted plans to bolster trilateral cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the United States, the statement noted.
Mr. Han stepped into the role of acting president on Dec 14, following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The impeachment was triggered by an opposition-led parliamentary vote, which came after Mr. Yoon’s controversial attempt to impose martial law on Dec 3, a decision that shocked the nation.
Prior to assuming his current position, Mr. Han served as South Korea’s prime minister.