U.S. lawmakers tell S. Korean FM that America will not pull out of Indo-Pacific

A group of U.S. lawmakers told South Korea’s top diplomat Monday that America will not withdraw from the Indo-Pacific region as they reaffirmed their commitment to the bilateral alliance, Seoul’s foreign ministry said.

Members of the U.S. Congressional Study Group on Korea, a bipartisan study group on South Korea, made the remarks during their meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul in Seoul, held as part of their trip to South Korea this week.

The lawmakers, including Reps. Ami Bera (D-CA) and Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA), described the South Korea-U.S. alliance as playing an important role for regional peace and stability, noting that it has bipartisan support, according to the ministry.

They also noted the resiliency of South Korea’s democracy during the meeting, which took place after former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s ouster earlier this month. Cho thanked the lawmakers for the trust and support U.S. Congress extended while his country experienced recent political uncertainties, it said.

On April 4, the Constitutional Court upheld Yoon’s impeachment over his short-lived imposition of martial law in December, removing him from office.

Cho also called for Congress’ interest in ensuring conditions for South Korean companies to invest stably in the United States and lifting South Korea’s “sensitive country” designation by the Energy Department.

He also requested their support for economic cooperation in shipbuilding, artificial intelligence and other sectors, noting that South Korea is an important investor and partner for the U.S.