Acting President of South Korea, Han Dak-soo, pledged on Sunday, in a phone call with US President Joe Biden, to maintain and develop the alliance between the two countries, stressing that state affairs “will be managed precisely and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law,” according to his office.
Han held the phone conversation with Biden, after Parliament passed the decision to impeach President Yoon Suk-yul, on Saturday, due to his imposition of martial law for a short period on December 3, according to what the South Korean “Yonhap” agency reported.
Han, as Prime Minister, assumed the position of Acting President, immediately after Yoon was suspended from his duties after he was removed from office. Yoon has been prevented from exercising his presidential powers, and the constitution requires that the prime minister temporarily assume the duties of president.
Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said Sunday that the party has decided not to seek accountability from Prime Minister Han Dak-soo over the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law.
South Korea’s presidential office said that Han pledged to Biden that “our government will implement our diplomatic and security policies without interruption, and will make efforts so that the alliance between South Korea and the United States continues and develops without hesitation.”
Han stressed the importance of consolidating the common defense position between South Korea and the United States in the face of “common challenges, such as the nuclear threat posed by North Korea and the growing cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.”
He explained that all state affairs “will be managed strictly and strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law.”
According to the South Korean statement, Biden “thanked Han for the explanation he provided, and expressed his confidence in South Korea’s democracy, noting at the same time its steadfastness.”
Biden said that “the firm alliance between South Korea and the United States has not changed,” and stressed that he will continue to work with South Korea, in order to develop and strengthen the alliance between South Korea and the United States, and cooperation between South Korea, the United States and Japan, according to Han’s office.
Han thanked Biden “for his interest and efforts to greatly develop the bilateral alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan during his term,” while Biden pledged to continue supporting the development of the alliance.
In this context, South Korean police arrested the current and former directors of intelligence at the country’s Ministry of Defense as part of an investigation into the application of martial law in the country.
A special police investigation team said, “They arrested both current Commander Moon Sang-ho and former Director of the Defense Intelligence Command Roh Sang-won.”
Yonhap Agency explained, “It is suspected that the Intelligence Command of the Ministry of Defense sent forces to Parliament in advance last December 3, as the army arrived at the site only two minutes after the President officially declared martial law.”
“It is assumed that the intelligence leadership was complicit with Yeon Suk-yeol or even participated in the preparations to impose martial law,” she added.
The agency stated, “Under the emergency detention provisions, the police have 48 hours to interrogate suspects, and if the police decide not to request a formal court order after the interrogation, or if the court refuses to issue an arrest warrant during this period, the police will have to release them.”
The opposition-led parliament voted on Saturday to approve Yoon’s impeachment over his attempt, which lasted only hours, to impose martial law, a move that shocked the country, divided his party and endangered his presidency in the middle of his term.
The ousted president pledged “not to surrender” and said that he would do his utmost to ensure the country’s stability until the “last minute.”
President Yoon said in his speech to the people published by his office, after Parliament approved a bill to impeach him: “I will never give up,” adding: “I feel frustrated because all the efforts made so far will be in vain,” according to what was reported by the South Korean news agency “Yonhap.” .
Last updated: December 15, 2024 – 17:57
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