US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday opened a visit to crisis-ridden South Korea where he will seek delicately to encourage continuity with the policies, but not tactics, of the impeached president.
Blinken arrived in the snow-covered capital on what will likely be his final trip as the top US diplomat before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
He will meet his counterpart Cho Tae-yul on Monday, the same day a warrant expires to arrest suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol who unsuccessfully tried to impose martial law on December 3.
Blinken is highlighting President Joe Biden’s efforts to build alliances and will head afterwards to Tokyo, making it crucial in the eyes of his advisors not to snub South Korea, which has a fraught and often competitive relationship with Japan, also home to thousands of American troops.
Yoon had once been a darling of the Biden administration with his bold moves to turn the page on friction with Japan and his eye on a greater role for South Korea on global issues.
Yoon joined Biden for a landmark three-way summit with Japan’s prime minister and — months before declaring martial law — was picked to lead a global democracy summit, a signature initiative for the outgoing US administration.
Yoon also memorably charmed his hosts on a state visit by belting out “American Pie” at a White House dinner.
Blinken may face some criticism from the South Korean left for the visit but should be able to navigate the political crisis, said Sydney Seiler, a former US intelligence officer focused on Korea, now at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
Blinken has a high enough profile to be above the fray, and can keep the focus on challenges such as China and North Korea, he said.
