On January 3, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold talks in Seoul on January 6.
According to the statement released by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Cho Tae-yul will meet with Blinken to discuss topics such as the South Korea-U.S. alliance, trilateral cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, the North Korean issue, as well as regional and global affairs.
Blinken’s visit to South Korea is expected to be his last visit before the establishment of the new U.S. government. It is reported that South Korea and the U.S. are also coordinating Blinken’s meeting with Acting President of South Korea Choi Sang-mok.
On January 3, the South Korean High-Ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Bureau attempted to execute an arrest warrant for the impeached President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, but was blocked by security personnel from the presidential office. After a standoff of nearly 6 hours, the prosecution announced the suspension of the arrest warrant and withdrew from the presidential office.
The arrest warrant against Yoon Suk Yeol is set to expire on January 6, which coincides with Blinken’s planned meeting with Cho Tae-yul.
Following the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol by parliament, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated in a December press release, “The United States reiterates its support for the Republic of Korea (ROK), its citizens, democratic processes, and rule of law. Our commitment to the U.S.-ROK alliance is rock solid.”