The U.S. Department of Defense has issued a warning to North Korea, urging it not to take advantage of South Korea’s current political turmoil to provoke further tensions.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh addressed concerns regarding potential actions by the North Korean Navy amid South Korea’s political instability. Singh emphasized that South Korea is experiencing a democratic political process and strongly urged all parties to avoid exploiting the situation.
During a press briefing, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh elaborated that while they closely monitor developments, their primary focus remains to strengthen cooperation between Japan, the U.S.-South Korea alliance, and other Indo-Pacific partners.
In response to questions about the communications status between the U.S. and South Korea, Singh confirmed that the dialogue continues smoothly, stating, “Yes, our cooperation and dialogue are continuing without interruption.”
Regarding postponing U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s visit to South Korea, Singh explained that the trip was rescheduled due to recent events in the country. She emphasized that despite the postponement, the U.S. maintains excellent relations with its South Korean counterparts and affirmed that the partnership will continue.
Singh also noted that this is Secretary Austin’s 13th visit to the Indo-Pacific region, underscoring the Biden administration’s commitment to strengthening its presence and alliances in the region. “This demonstrates the priority the Biden administration and the Department of Defense place on the Indo-Pacific,” she concluded.