U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken began a visit to South Korea on Monday, a nation grappling with a political crisis. Blinken’s diplomatic mission seeks to encourage continuity in policies while addressing the aftermath of the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Arriving in a snow-covered Seoul, Blinken’s trip is likely to be his last as Secretary of State before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. During his visit, Blinken is scheduled to meet with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul. The visit coincides with the expiration of an arrest warrant for the impeached President Yoon, who unsuccessfully attempted to declare a state of emergency on December 3.
Focus on Strengthening Alliances
Blinken’s discussions are expected to emphasize President Joe Biden’s efforts to bolster alliances, with a subsequent stop planned in Tokyo. In a statement, the U.S. State Department did not directly address the political crisis in South Korea but highlighted the importance of trilateral cooperation with Japan. This cooperation includes extensive intelligence sharing regarding North Korea.
The visit also comes at a time of transition for both nations, with President-elect Trump set to assume office on January 20.
Challenges Amid Political Unrest
U.S. officials have stated they were not forewarned of Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law. Reflecting on the situation last month, Blinken noted that the crisis underscored the resilience of South Korea’s democratic institutions, which have been strengthened over the past three decades.
Following his stops in South Korea and Japan, Blinken is expected to visit France.
