Seoul’s interim leadership preparing for Trump 2.0: Foreign Minister

SEOUL – South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul pledged on Dec 15 to facilitate smooth preparations for the incoming Trump administration under Acting President Han Duck-soo’s leadership, emphasising his readiness to swiftly travel to the US to engage with the Trump team if needed.

During a news conference held a day after the National Assembly

voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol

over his abrupt martial law declaration, Mr Cho outlined the Foreign Ministry’s priorities and operational plans under the acting president system.

“First, we aim to expeditiously secure trust and support for the acting president system while reassessing cooperative relations with the international community, including our key partners,” Mr Cho told reporters.

Mr Cho reiterated Seoul’s commitment to “actively work to maintain the robust Korea-US alliance and the friendly cooperative relationship between Korea and Japan, while preserving the momentum of trilateral cooperation between Korea, the US and Japan”.

“We will also ensure that preparations for the inauguration of the new US administration proceed without setbacks,” Mr Cho said.

Mr Cho also gave an affirmative response when asked whether he plans to travel to the US as early as possible after the start of Trump’s second term in January 2025.

“Whether I plan to visit the United States after President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration will be reviewed if necessary,” he said, acknowledging the need for an in-person meeting.

“While I have spoken with Secretary Antony Blinken over the phone, I believe there are messages that should be discussed and conveyed in person, so I plan to consult and coordinate with the US side to further review this matter.”

Mr Cho also emphasised that the Foreign Ministry will strengthen its focus on “economic diplomacy” to mitigate potential impacts on business operations under the acting president system.

“We will effectively prepare for uncertainties arising from the United States while proactively addressing economic security issues,” he said, providing plans to forge a coordinated system between the government and private sector, working closely with other related ministries, companies and foreign missions.

Mr Cho pledged that the Foreign Ministry will prioritise maintaining amicable relations with China, which were strained by

Mr Yoon’s public address

on Dec 12.

In his speech defending his martial law decree, Mr Yoon cited allegations of Chinese nationals spying in South Korea and expressed concerns over China’s growing green industry in order to denounce the main opposition Democratic Party’s national security policies and accuse them of being anti-nuclear energy.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning swiftly reacted the same day, saying China was

“deeply surprised and dissatisfied”

with Mr Yoon’s remarks.

“We aim to maintain close communication to ensure stable development in our relationship with China,” Mr Cho said during the press briefing.

As part of those efforts, Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Chung Byung-won met Mr Fang Kun, charge d’affaires for the Chinese Embassy in Korea, on Dec 14 evening, shortly after the National Assembly’s vote to impeach Mr Yoon.

Mr Cho emphasised Seoul’s commitment to advancing 2025’s multilateral diplomatic initiatives seamlessly, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or Apec summit, which South Korea will host, and events commemorating the 60th anniversary of normalised ties between Seoul and Tokyo.

“Given the responses from other countries, we foresee no major obstacles to ensuring their smooth implementation.”

Mr Cho, however, admitted that the political upheaval “has, to some extent, damaged the trust and expectations the international community has in us, and I believe it will take time and effort to restore them”.

“We will work diligently to normalise the situation as quickly as possible.”

Mr Cho is expected to continue serving as foreign minister to aid in repairing the diplomatic fallout caused by Mr Yoon’s martial law declaration.

Mr Cho, who has openly said he repeatedly voiced his strong opposition during an impromptu Cabinet meeting held shortly before Mr Yoon’s martial law declaration on Dec 3, submitted his resignation on Dec 4.

“Even now, I have no hesitation about stepping down. However, I believe I cannot neglect the duties I am responsible for,” Mr Cho said when asked whether he would still resign.

“I’d like to convey that I find myself in a situation where I am not free even to make the decision to resign.” THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK