SEOUL — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended warm congratulations to South Korea on the occasion of its Liberation Day, marking the peninsula’s historical liberation from Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.

According to Yonhap News Agency, he highlighted the strong ties between the United States and the Republic of Korea, describing their alliance as "ironclad." Blinken reiterated the U.S.'s commitment to standing with South Korea, supporting shared values of international peace, human rights, and individual liberties. He commended the Republic of Korea for its evolution into a beacon of democracy and its significant achievements in fostering prosperity for its people, emphasizing the enduring friendship and cooperation between the two nations.