SEOUL, December 09 (AJP) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Monday South Korea's recent martial law crisis won't affect the "ironclad" alliance between the two countries.
"Our relationship with the ROK (Republic of Korea) is ironclad, and I expect that it will continue to be," Austin told reporters aboard the USS George Washington aircraft carrier at Yokosuka Naval Base near Tokyo.
He noted that high-level military communications continue uninterrupted.
When asked about possible North Korean provocations during South Korea's political uncertainty, Austin said, "We certainly have not seen that yet, and we remain focused on any change to the status quo."
While expressing confidence in South Korea's ability to handle its domestic challenges, Austin declined to comment directly on the country's internal political situation.
"Our relationship is ironclad, and we remain focused on the defense of the peninsula," he said.
Austin's current trip to Japan marks his 13th and final visit to the Indo-Pacific as defense secretary.
A planned stop in South Korea was canceled following the martial law crisis.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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