The U.S. Department of Defense says the United States would not want “any actor” to take advantage of the political turmoil caused by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law attempt last week. 

Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh made the remarks Wednesday during a press briefing, when asked about the possibility of North Korea exploiting the chaotic situation to carry out provocative acts. 

Singh said there’s an ongoing democratic political process playing out in South Korea and the U.S. has to let that process play out. 

Asked if Seoul and Washington are working together amid the chaos, the spokesperson said “cooperation and conversations” are continuing. 

About the recent news that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin canceled a trip to South Korea, the spokesperson said Austin postponed the trip because of recent events in South Korea, stressing that Washington has an “incredible relationship” with Seoul that will “endure.”