Seoul, Jan 11 (NationPress) Acting US Ambassador to Seoul Joseph Yun remarked on Saturday that he is dedicated to reinforcing the bilateral alliance, expressing a positive outlook that South Korea will successfully navigate its political difficulties and become more resilient.
The Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Seoul made these comments upon his arrival at Incheon International Airport, located to the west of Seoul, shortly after the retirement of US envoy Philip Goldberg.
Yun, who previously served as the US special representative for North Korea, has taken on this interim role just ahead of the inauguration of incoming US President Donald Trump on January 20.
"There are truly fundamental pillars of US-ROK relationships. The core pillar is, of course, the alliance relationship," Yun told reporters, referencing South Korea's formal name, the Republic of Korea.
"I have dedicated half of my professional life to strengthening the relationship between the two nations and I eagerly anticipate contributing to that," he continued.
Having served at the US embassy in Seoul nearly two decades prior, Yun noted that it is very significant to return to the nation during such a pivotal moment.
His appointment comes amid a period of political uncertainty in South Korea following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol due to his brief declaration of martial law on December 3.
When asked about the current political climate in South Korea, Yun recognized the "ups and downs" that any government experiences but showed confidence in the nation's resilience, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
"What I know is that there have been numerous challenges," Yun stated. "Every time, South Korea has come out stronger, and I have no doubt that this instance will be no different."
South Korea has entered a phase of political instability following Yoon's fleeting martial law declaration on December 3, 2024, and his subsequent impeachment on December 14, 2024.
