Seoul: Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul announced Thursday that South Korea will endeavor to maintain close communication with individuals close to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to strengthen diplomatic ties with Washington. This declaration followed the victory of the Republican candidate and former U.S. president in Tuesday’s election, which has stirred expectations in Seoul of significant policy changes from the previous Joe Biden administration, potentially impacting the bilateral alliance with the United States.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho emphasized the government’s plan to refine its approach to security and economic matters, ensuring these are communicated effectively to Trump’s team through personal networks and other available channels before the new U.S. administration is inaugurated. In a parliamentary session, Cho highlighted the phone conversation between President Yoon Suk Yeol and Trump earlier in the day as a testament to the importance Trump places on the alliance with South Korea.
Cho remarked, “It’s a symbolic example of how importantly the president-elect thinks of the South Korea-U.S. alliance,” underlining the significance of Yoon being among the first world leaders to speak with Trump following his reelection. The proactive communication strategy aims to sustain and potentially enhance the longstanding partnership between the two nations.