US affirms strong alliance with South Korea

Soldiers participate in a drill in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, March 11, 2025. (Photo: Yonhap/VNA)

According to Yonhap news agency, on April 8, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce affirmed the "strong" alliance between the US and South Korea, in the context of the Northeast Asian country undergoing political change after the Constitutional Court ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol for declaring martial law on the night of December 3, 2024.

Speaking at a regular press briefing, spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stressed: “The US-South Korea alliance remains strong.”

However, Ms. Bruce declined to comment on the possibility of renegotiating the bilateral defense cost-sharing agreement.

Earlier, on April 8, US President Donald Trump said he discussed this issue with acting South Korean President Han Duck Soo in the first phone call between the two since Mr. Trump took office last January.

On the social network Truth Social, Mr. Trump also said that in addition to South Korea's contribution to the US garrison, the two sides also mentioned a series of issues, including the large-scale trade surplus, Seoul's purchase of US liquefied natural gas (LNG), and bilateral cooperation in the field of shipbuilding.

Later the same day, the South Korean Presidential Office said that in the 28-minute call, Acting President Han Duck Soo hoped that the South Korea-US alliance would continue to be strengthened under the Trump administration, considering it the “cornerstone” of South Korea’s foreign policy and national security.

The office's press release stated that the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to the Korea-US alliance and agreed to continue to coordinate closely with Japan on the North Korean nuclear issue, to ensure peace and stability in the region.

Mr. Han Duck Soo emphasized that Korea wants to promote high-level cooperation in three key areas, including shipbuilding, LNG and ensuring trade balance.

In addition, the two sides also agreed to continue promoting consultations on economic cooperation between the two countries.

South Korea is currently facing political change after the Constitutional Court issued a ruling to impeach and remove Yoon Suk Yeol from office in connection with martial law on the night of December 3 last year.

According to the South Korean Constitution, a presidential election must be held within 60 days of Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.

Meanwhile, South Korea is trying to resolve the tariff issue with the US after President Trump announced on April 2 a reciprocal tax with countries and territories around the world, in which South Korea is subject to a tax rate of 25%./.

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/my-khang-dinh-quan-he-dong-minh-manh-me-voi-han-quoc-post1026689.vnp