Acting top US envoy stresses allies' complete alignment amid leadership transition

Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun stressed Tuesday the importance of Seoul and Washington staying fully aligned amid leadership transitions in both countries, an approach he feels is shared by both sides.

Yun made the remarks after meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and First Vice Minister Kim Hong-kyun, just days after assuming his post tasked with reassuring the bilateral alliance amid the political crisis in Seoul, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his brief imposition of martial law.

"There was a fundamental, not only agreement, but cooperation and willingness to work towards our relationship because there is kind of a transition in both Seoul and Washington," Yun told Yonhap News Agency shortly before leaving the foreign ministry.

"We need to be completely aligned, and I'm very delighted that they are of the same mindset as the incoming Trump team, as well as the outgoing Biden team," he said of the meetings with Cho and Kim.

During the meeting with Yun, Kim asked him to ensure that the progress made between the allies continues smoothly under the incoming Donald Trump administration, the foreign ministry said in a release.

Kim also emphasized the importance of close coordination on issues related to North Korea and its nuclear threats, requesting Yun's support in facilitating effective communication with Washington.

Yun, in response, pledged to work toward maintaining and further advancing the strong bilateral alliance at the embassy level, the ministry said. Prior to their meeting, Yun briefly met with the foreign minister for discussions on the alliance.

Yun arrived in Seoul on Saturday, following the State Department's announcement on his appointment as the charge d'affaires ad interim in Seoul.

Yun, who served as the U.S. special representative for North Korea from 2016-18, is expected to work until incoming President Donald Trump names a new ambassador to Seoul. (Yonhap)