U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has decided to exclude South Korea from his upcoming Northeast Asia trip despite earlier plans to visit the country. Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder confirmed on Thursday that Austin would visit Japan but would not make a stop in South Korea.
During a regular briefing, Ryder explained, “Austin is scheduled to spend several days in Tokyo, Japan.” He also emphasized that the trip marks Austin’s 13th visit to the Indo-Pacific region and is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships while promoting a shared vision for peace, security, and prosperity.
Though Austin had initially planned to include South Korea in his itinerary, the decision to omit the country is unusual, given that it’s common for U.S. officials to visit both Japan and South Korea together during regional trips.
“Not the right time”: Postponed Amid Martial Law Concerns
While no official reason was given for Austin’s change in plans, Reuters reported that a U.S. Defense Department official noted, “It was judged that this is not the right time” for such a visit. This is widely interpreted as a consequence of the ongoing state of emergency declared in South Korea.
Following his resignation, South Korea’s Defense Minister, Kim Yong Hyun, has been absent, further complicating diplomatic talks between the U.S. and South Korea. Austin’s decision seems to reflect concerns that meaningful ministerial-level discussions would not be possible under the current circumstances.
In response to a question about when such talks might resume amid the martial law situation, Ryder stated, “We have no new information to announce.”
Austin’s term is set to conclude on January 20, 2025, with the inauguration of a new administration, making this trip to Asia potentially his last before stepping down.
Meanwhile, the ongoing political situation in South Korea has led to delays in several key meetings between the U.S. and South Korea. The fourth session of the Korea-U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) and the first NCG tabletop exercise (TTX), both scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday in the U.S., were postponed due to the martial law declaration in Seoul.
As a result, there are growing concerns that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of a state of emergency in South Korea could disrupt critical diplomatic and security consultations between the two allies and potentially isolate South Korea on the global stage.
Comments0