Seoul: Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun emphasized the importance of maintaining complete alignment between Seoul and Washington during ongoing leadership transitions in both nations, a sentiment that he believes is mutually held.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yun made these remarks after discussions with South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and First Vice Minister Kim Hong-kyun. These meetings took place shortly after Yun assumed his post, which involves reassuring the bilateral alliance amid a political crisis in Seoul. This crisis was triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment following his brief imposition of martial law.

Yun expressed confidence in the shared mindset of both the South Korean officials and the incoming and outgoing U.S. administrations. "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 stated. He underscored the necessity of complete alignment and conveyed his satisfaction with the shared perspective of the South Korean officials and the incoming Trump administration, aligning with the outgoing Biden team.

Yun arrived in Seoul on Saturday after the State Department announced his appointment as the charge d'affaires ad interim in Seoul. His tenure is expected to continue until President Donald Trump appoints a new ambassador to South Korea. Yun's prior experience includes serving as the U.S. special representative for North Korea from 2016 to 2018.