Cheong Wa Dae Emphasizes Bipartisan Support for Korea-U.S. Alliance After U.S. Midterm Elections

Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday that "the Korea-U.S. alliance has remained strong and developed over more than 70 years on the basis of bipartisan American support, and no particular election outcome will affect the alliance," in response to the results of the U.S. midterm elections. Senior Presidential Secretary for Public Relations Kang Yoo-jung answered questions about the impact on investment in the United States and tariffs during a briefing after the senior secretaries' meeting.

"The government will continue to pursue strategic investment in the United States based on the agreements reached between the two countries, while reviewing individual matters under the principle of 'national interest first' in accordance with procedures related to commercial rationality," Kang said. On concerns over the wartime operational control transfer and nuclear submarine negotiations, she said, "Security agreements are the result of trust and a promise between the two countries, and they will be firmly upheld."

Kang said the U.S. midterm elections were not discussed at the senior secretaries' meeting. Speaking later on YTN radio about the mood at Cheong Wa Dae, she said, "It is very calm, calmer than expected." "There are already agreements between the two countries, and there is a joint fact sheet as well," she explained on the radio. "Strategic investment in the United States is not something that can easily be changed within that framework."

"Going forward, the government will analyze changes in the political landscape resulting from the midterm elections and continue to communicate and cooperate closely with both the U.S. administration and Congress for the continued development of the Korea-U.S. alliance," Kang said. She added, "The Korea-U.S. alliance must continue to develop, so we are watching closely and monitoring carefully for any changes in the political landscape."