The defense chiefs of South Korea and the United States have reaffirmed the solid bilateral alliance in the aftermath of martial law and President Yoon Suk Yeol’s subsequent impeachment by parliament.

According to Seoul’s defense ministry, acting defense minister Kim Seon-ho and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held talks on the phone on Friday to assess the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and discuss cooperation on North Korea issues and the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

The two sides reportedly reaffirmed that the bilateral alliance remains firm, regardless of the political situation in South Korea and changes in security conditions. 

Kim thanked the U.S. for expressing its support for the strong alliance despite the domestic situation.  

Austin reaffirmed what he called the ironclad U.S. commitment to the security of South Korea, stressing that the two countries will continue to work closely together to maintain a strong alliance. 

The two sides also reaffirmed their commitment to stronger extended deterrence through the Nuclear Consultative Group, as well as through trilateral security cooperation with Japan.