The alliance remains unchanged, and we will continue working together
En uno de los momentos más convulsos de la política surcoreana reciente, el primer ministro interino Han Duck-soo tomó el teléfono para recordarle al mundo que las alianzas entre naciones trascienden las crisis internas. Tras la destitución parlamentaria del presidente Yoon Suk-yeol —provocada por su decreto de ley marcial del 3 de diciembre— Han habló con Biden para reafirmar que el vínculo estratégico entre Seúl y Washington permanece intacto. En tiempos de incertidumbre constitucional, los Estados recurren a sus anclas más firmes: los compromisos compartidos que sobreviven a los gobiernos.
- La declaración de ley marcial del presidente Yoon el 3 de diciembre desencadenó una crisis constitucional que culminó con su destitución parlamentaria el sábado, dejando a Corea del Sur sin su líder electo en cuestión de días.
- La transferencia abrupta del poder al primer ministro Han generó incertidumbre inmediata sobre la continuidad de los compromisos diplomáticos y de seguridad del país en una región geopolíticamente volátil.
- En su primera acción como jefe de Estado interino, Han llamó a Biden durante dieciséis minutos para anclar la alianza bilateral y disipar cualquier duda sobre la estabilidad de la política exterior surcoreana.
- Biden respondió con respaldo explícito: la alianza no ha cambiado, la cooperación con Corea del Sur y Japón continúa, y la democracia surcoreana merece confianza incluso en su momento más turbulento.
- El Tribunal Constitucional tiene hasta seis meses para dictaminar si Yoon violó la Constitución, manteniendo al país en un limbo político que Han deberá gestionar con la mirada puesta en Pyongyang y Moscú.
El domingo por la mañana, el primer ministro interino de Corea del Sur, Han Duck-soo, habló por teléfono con el presidente Biden durante dieciséis minutos. Era su primer gran acto como jefe de Estado en funciones, asumido apenas un día antes tras la destitución parlamentaria del presidente Yoon Suk-yeol. Ambos líderes quisieron enviar un mensaje claro: la alianza entre sus países no se vería afectada por la tormenta política que sacudía Seúl.
La crisis había comenzado el 3 de diciembre, cuando Yoon decretó la ley marcial, desencadenando una cadena de eventos que culminó con su impeachment el sábado. Al quedar suspendido de sus funciones, los poderes presidenciales recayeron automáticamente en Han, el segundo funcionario de mayor rango en el gobierno.
Durante la llamada, Han aseguró a Biden que su gobierno mantendría las políticas diplomáticas y de seguridad sin interrupciones, y que la asociación entre ambos países seguiría fortaleciéndose. Biden, por su parte, reafirmó que la alianza permanecía inalterada y mencionó también a Japón, subrayando la vigencia del acuerdo de seguridad trilateral. Ambos líderes coincidieron en la necesidad de hacer frente al programa de armas de Corea del Norte y a la creciente cooperación militar entre Moscú y Pyongyang.
Han también garantizó que todos los asuntos de Estado se manejarían conforme a la Constitución y las leyes surcoreanas. Biden respondió expresando confianza en la democracia del país, legitimando así la transición ante la comunidad internacional.
Ahora, el Tribunal Constitucional tiene hasta seis meses para determinar si Yoon violó la Constitución con su decreto de ley marcial. Su fallo decidirá si la destitución se consolida o si el presidente regresa al cargo. Mientras tanto, Han gobierna un país en transición, sostenido por la certeza de que su alianza más estratégica permanece firme.
On Sunday morning, South Korea's interim prime minister picked up the phone to speak with the American president. Han Duck-soo had assumed the role of acting head of state just a day earlier, after Parliament voted to remove President Yoon Suk-yeol from office. The call lasted sixteen minutes. Both men wanted the world to know that nothing fundamental had changed between their countries, despite the political upheaval unfolding in Seoul.
Yoon's removal came in response to his declaration of martial law on December 3rd—a move that triggered a constitutional crisis and set off a chain of events that would reshape South Korea's political landscape. When Parliament voted to impeach him on Saturday, the presidential powers automatically transferred to Han, the sitting prime minister and second-ranking official in the government. Now, with the country in transition, Han's first major act was to reassure Washington that the alliance between the two nations would remain steady.
During their conversation, Han and Biden exchanged commitments to maintain and strengthen the bilateral relationship. Han told Biden that his government would continue implementing its diplomatic and security policies, and would work to ensure that the partnership between South Korea and the United States developed without interruption. Biden responded by stating plainly that the alliance remained unchanged, and that he would continue working alongside South Korea to deepen their partnership. He also mentioned Japan, signaling that the three-way security arrangement among the countries would persist.
The timing of the call was deliberate. Han used it to emphasize the importance of consolidating the security alliance between Seoul and Washington in the face of shared regional threats. North Korea's weapons of mass destruction program loomed large in this calculation, as did the growing military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang—a development that had become increasingly concerning to both capitals. By anchoring the conversation in these concrete security challenges, Han was essentially telling Biden: whatever happens domestically in South Korea, our strategic partnership is non-negotiable.
Han also took the opportunity to address the constitutional question hanging over the country. He assured Biden that all state affairs would be managed strictly according to South Korea's Constitution and laws. Biden, in turn, expressed confidence in South Korean democracy and its resilience—a statement that carried weight given the extraordinary circumstances. The American president was essentially vouching for the legitimacy of the transition, even as the country's highest court prepared to make a final determination about Yoon's fate.
That determination now rests with the Constitutional Court, which has up to six months to decide whether Yoon violated the Constitution through his martial law declaration. The court's ruling will determine whether the impeachment stands permanently or whether Yoon is reinstated to office. Until then, Han remains in charge, and the alliance with the United States—reaffirmed in that Sunday morning call—provides a stabilizing anchor as South Korea navigates one of its most turbulent political moments in recent memory.
Citas Notables
Our government will continue implementing its diplomatic and security policies and will work to ensure the alliance between South Korea and the United States develops without obstruction— Han Duck-soo, interim prime minister
The alliance between South Korea and the United States remains unaltered and will continue to be strengthened— President Joe Biden
La Conversación del Hearth Otra perspectiva de la historia
Why did Han feel compelled to call Biden so quickly after taking over?
Because in a moment of domestic chaos, the alliance is the one thing that can't appear to be in question. If Washington wavered, it would signal weakness to North Korea and embolden Beijing. The call was reassurance theater, but it was necessary.
Did Biden have any concerns about Han's legitimacy as acting president?
Not that he voiced. Biden essentially said: I trust your democracy to sort this out. That's a calculated bet that the Constitutional Court will handle things properly, and that Han won't try to consolidate power.
What happens if the Constitutional Court decides Yoon should be reinstated?
Then Han steps down and Yoon returns. But the court could also ratify the impeachment permanently. Either way, the alliance survives—that's what both leaders wanted to establish.
Is the Russia-North Korea military cooperation really a major concern right now?
It's become one. Russia has been supplying weapons and technology to North Korea in exchange for troops on the battlefield in Ukraine. For Seoul and Washington, that's a direct threat that makes their partnership even more critical.
What does this tell us about how alliances actually work during crises?
They're tested by continuity, not by words. Han and Biden didn't need to say much—they just needed to say it to each other, publicly, so everyone else knew the relationship hadn't fractured.