By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo met with the U.S. ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg on Dec. 9 to explain the state of affairs following the emergency martial law.

According to the Prime Minister's Office on Dec. 10, Prime Minister Han met with U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg at the Seoul Government Complex the previous afternoon and told him that the Seoul government is “fully committed to running the country based on the Constitution and laws.”

“Please actively inform the international community through various channels, including overseas diplomatic missions and foreign media, that the Korean state is operating consistently and normally,” Han told the cabinet at a cabinet meeting that morning.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul also met with U.S. Ambassador Goldberg on Dec. 8. The ministry said Cho “emphasized the government's firm commitment to overcome the current difficult situation based on the resilience of Korea's liberal democracy and the rule of law, which has been steadfastly maintained,” according to the ministry. 

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken also spoke with Foreign Minister Cho on Dec. 6, noting that he “looks forward to seeing the democratic process in South Korea prevail.”