Blue Korea, US midterm election results: “ROK-US alliance, strong relationship with bipartisan support” (comprehensive)

Regarding the results of the U.S. midterm elections, the Blue House stated on the 5th, "The ROK-U.S. alliance has developed strongly with bipartisan support from the U.S. for over 70 years, so we do not believe that specific election results will have an impact on the ROK-U.S. alliance."

Blue House Chief Spokesperson Kang Yoo-jeong answered questions about the impact of the midterm election results on Korea-US relations, investment in the US, and tariffs at a Blue House briefing following a meeting of senior aides chaired by President Lee Jae-myung.

Chief Spokesperson Kang emphasized, "The government will continue to closely communicate and cooperate with the U.S. administration and Congress while analyzing changes in the political landscape following this midterm election for the continued development of the ROK-U.S. alliance."

He added, "Meanwhile, with regard to investments in the United States, the government will continue to pursue strategic investments in the United States based on the agreements reached between Korea and the United States, but individual matters will be reviewed in accordance with procedures related to commercial rationality under the principle of 'national interest first.'"

Regarding whether the U.S. midterm elections were discussed at the chief aide meeting today, he said, "That issue was not discussed at today's meeting."

Chief Spokesperson Kang later appeared on YTN radio and when asked about the Blue House's response to the U.S. midterm elections, he said, "It's a lot calmer than I thought," and "We're responding leisurely and calmly."

Regarding the impact of the U.S. midterm election results on the transfer of wartime operational control and negotiations related to nuclear submarines, he said, "The security agreement is the result of trust, and it is a promise between the two countries, so that part will be firmly kept."

Regarding investment in the U.S., he explained, "There is already an agreement between the two countries and a (joint) fact sheet. Within that, strategic investment in the U.S. is not something that can be easily moved. There will be no major changes in individual projects as the principle of putting national interest and commercial rationality as the top priority has not changed."

He added, “Nevertheless, the ROK-US alliance must continue to develop, so we are paying close attention to see any changes in the political landscape.”