A senior U.S. official says the United States plans to pursue “high-level, in-person engagement” with the South Korean government of acting President Han Duck-soo during the “last weeks” of the Biden administration. 

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell made the remarks Thursday during a meeting with reporters in Washington.
 
Campbell said the U.S. has supported the “constitutional steps” South Korea has taken and that Washington has expressed confidence in Seoul’s ability to manage through this challenging period. 

He also voiced “full support” from the U.S. for the “interim role” of the acting president, saying Han is “well known” to the U.S. as he served as South Korea’s ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2012.

Campbell said Washington will do what’s best and will continue to send signals of deep engagement. 

He added that the U.S. is keeping every possible line of communication open, not just with the interim government but with “other actors” in the crisis, possibly hinting at communications with South Korean politicians through the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.