North Korea should not make a misjudgment by taking advantage of South Korea's political chaos._ “No actor can abuse it.”

Author
Janne Pak
Date
2024-12-11 21:28
(12-11-2024)   by: Janne Pak(White House & State Department & Pentagon & Congress Correspondent)

@Q&A with a Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh and Janne Pak at the Pentagon Press Briefing on December 11, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Defense(Pentagon) announced on the 11th, “No actor should abuse the impeachment situation in South Korea,” adding, “Discussions such as dialogue and cooperation with South Korea are operating normally.” It also warned of the possibility that North Korea might misjudge South Korea's chaotic political situation and launch a provocation.

미 국방부는 11일 한국의 탄핵 정국에 어떤 행위자도 이를 악용해서는 안된다.“고 밝히면서 “ 한국과 대화와 협력등 협의가 정상적으로 작동하고 있다.”고 밝혔다. 또한 북한이 한국의 혼란스런 정치 상황을 오판해 도발할 가능성에 대해서도 경고했다.

At a briefing on the 11th, Deputy Press Secretary of the Department of Defense (Pentagon) Sabrina Singh responded to my question, “Was Secretary of Defense Austin’s cancellation of his visit to South Korea due to confusion or the absence of a dialogue partner?” he responded, “The Secretary postponed his visit to South Korea in consideration of the recent situation.” “We still have amazing relationships with our South Korean counterparts and we will continue to do so,” she added, “I think you can see how much the current government and the Ministry of National Defense have emphasized the Indo-Pacific region.”

사브리나 싱 국방부(펜타곤) 부대변인은 11일 브리핑에서 “오스틴 국방장관이 한국방문을 취소한 것은 혼란이나 대화상대 부재 때문이냐?”는 나의 질문에 그는, “장관은 최근 상황을 고려하여 한국 방문을 연기했다.”며 “우리는 여전히 ​​한국의 상대국들과 놀라운 관계를 유지하고 있으며 앞으로도 그럴 것이다.”고 말했다. 그러면서 현 정부와 국방부가 인도-태평양 지역을 얼마나 강조했는지 알 수 있을 것 같다.”고 덧붙였다.

In response to the question, “Is cooperation between South Korea and the United States progressing normally?” she said, “Yes, and cooperation, conversations continue on."

“현재 한미간 공조가 정상적으로 진행되고 있느냐?”는 질문에는, “그렇다”면서 “협력과 대화가 계속되고 있다”고 밝혔다.

“There is a possibility that North Korea may misjudge due to the current chaotic (impeachment) situation in South Korea. When asked, “What kind of preparations does our ally, the United States, have in place for such an eventuality?” she responded, “We do not want any actor to abuse it.” “A democratic political process is underway in South Korea, and we must allow that process to proceed,”

“현재 한국의 혼란스러운(탄핵정국) 상황으로 인해 북한이 오판할 가능성도 있다. 동맹국인 미국은 그러한 만일의 사태에 대비하여 어떤 종류의 준비를 갖추고 있느냐?”는 질문에는, “어떤 행위자도 악용하길 원치 않는다”고 밝혔다. 그러면서 “한국에서 민주적인 정치 과정이 진행되고 있고 우리는 그 과정이 진행되도록 해야 한다.”고 말했다.

“What we are focused on, and what the Secretary emphasized, is the deepening of cooperation between Japan, South Korea and other Indo-Pacific partners,” he said. “That is why we saw the Secretary return home after his 13th visit to the region. “He emphasized.

이어 우리가 초점을 맞추고 장관님이 강조하신 것은 일본, 한국, 기타 인도 태평양 파트너 ​​간 협력의 심화이다.“이것이 바로 장관님이 13번째 이 지역 방문을 마치고 귀국하는 모습을 보신 이유이다.“고 강조했다.

*For more details, Please See the Q&A from Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh and Janne Pak at the Pentagon Press Briefing on December 11, 2024.

(자세한 내용은 아래 사브리나 싱 펜타곤 부대변인과 제니 박 기자의 질의응답을 참고하십시오.)

QUESTION:(Janne Pak): Thank you, Sabrina. A couple of questions on South Korea, United States, and North Korea. Is the Defense Secretary Austin cancelling his visit to South Korea due to the chaos or the lack of a counterpart?

오스틴 국방장관이 한국방문을 취소한 것은 혼란이나 대화상대 부재 때문인가요?

A:(DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SINGH): I think we spoke to this, Janne. You know, the Secretary did postpone his visit to the Republic of Korea, just given recent events. Again, he continued to the region. The ROK remains a — you know, we have an incredible relationship with our counterparts there, and that's going to endure.

우리가 이것에 대해 말한 것 같아요, Janne. 아시다시피, 장관은 최근 상황을 고려하여 한국 방문을 연기했습니다. 다시 그는 그 지역으로 계속 갔다. 우리는 여전히 ​​한국의 상대국들과 놀라운 관계를 유지하고 있으며 앞으로도 그럴 것입니다.

But, you know, right now the Secretary is wrapping up his trip to Japan. He's coming back. It was his 13th visit to the region. I think you can see the amount of emphasis that this administration and this Department has put on the Indo-Pacific.

그런데 지금 장관님은 일본 방문을 마무리하고 계십니다. 그는 돌아오고있다. 그의 이 지역 방문은 이번이 13번째였다. 현 정부와 국방부가 인도-태평양 지역을 얼마나 강조했는지 알 수 있을 것 같습니다.

QUESTION:(Janne Pak): Is the normal cooperation between South Korea and United States currently working?

한미간 정상적인 공조가 현재 작동하고 있느냐?

A:(DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY SINGH): Yeah, cooperation, conversations continue on.

협력 대화는 계속 작동하고 있다.

QUESTION:(Janne Pak): And North Korea, there is possibility that North Korea may misjudge due to the current chaotic situation in South Korea. What kind of preparation does the United States ally have for such an eventuality?

현재 한국의 혼란스러운 상황으로 인해 북한이 오판할 가능성도 있다. 동맹국인 미국은 그러한 만일의 사태에 대비하여 어떤 종류의 준비를 갖추고 있습니까?

A:(DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY SINGH): Well, I think and you've certainly seen, you know, there's an ongoing democratic political process that's playing out in the Republic of Korea. Certainly, wouldn't want any actor to take advantage of that. We have to let that process play out. What we're focused on, and what the Secretary has emphasized, is the deepening of cooperation between Japan, between the ROK, between other Indo-Pacific partners, which is why you saw the Secretary embark and return from his 13th visit to the region. Yeah.

제 생각에는 – 여러분도 확실히 보셨을 것입니다. 대한민국에서 민주적인 정치 과정이 진행되고 있다는 것입니다. 물론 어떤 행위자도 그 점을 활용하는 것을 원하지 않을 것입니다. 우리는 그 과정이 진행되도록 해야 합니다. 우리가 초점을 맞추고 장관님이 강조하신 것은 일본, 한국, 기타 인도 태평양 파트너 ​​간 협력의 심화입니다. 이것이 바로 장관님이 13번째 이 지역 방문을 마치고 귀국하는 모습을 보신 이유입니다.(끝)

All Copy Rights Reserved: on USA JOURNAL KOREA Site.
(Janne Pak, White House Correspondent)
A Professional female Journalist who has covered the Korean Peninsula Issues and Korea-U.S. relations for over 20 years, White House, Pentagon, State Department, Congress.
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(10-14-2025)   by: Janne Pak(White House & State Department & Pentagon & Congress Correspondent) “President Trump Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk” [트럼프 대통령, 찰리 커크에게 “대통령 자유메달”수여] @President Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Charlie Kirk during a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden on the 14th (local time). His wife, Erica, accepted the medal on behalf of the late Charlie Kirk.>>> President Trump declared October 14, 2025, as Charlie Kirk Memorial Day. 트럼프 대통령은 2025년 10월 14일을 ‘찰리 커크 추모의 날’로 선포했다. ‘President Trump awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Turning Point activist Charlie Kirk on the 14th (local time). Following Kirk's death, his widow, Erica Kirk, accepted the medal on his behalf. 트럼프 대통령은 14일(현지시간)  터닝 포인트 활동가 찰리 커크에게 '대통령 자유 메달(Presidential Medal of Freedom)'을 수여했다. 메달은 커크의 사망으로 인해 고인을 대신해 그의 부인인 에리카 커크가  받았다. Last September, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives approved a resolution declaring October 14th a "National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk." President Trump signed the proclamation that day, declaring October 14, 2025, as "National Charlie Kirk Memorial Day." 지난 9월 미국 상·하원은 10월 14일을 '찰리 커크를 위한 국가 추모의 날'로 선포하는 결의안을 승인했다....
Janne Pak 2025.10.16
(10-1-2025)   by: Janne Pak(White House & State Department & Pentagon & Congress Correspondent) “If the US federal government shutdown continues, the American people will bear the brunt of the damage.” [미 연방정부 셧다운 길어지면 피해는 미국국민의 몫이된다.] @President Trump says the government shutdown, which began on October 1st due to the failure of the Republican and Democratic parties to reach an agreement, will lead to a reduction in the number of federal employees. (공화, 민주 양당이 합의점을 이루지 못해 10월 1일부터 연방정부 셧다운이 시작된데 대해, 트럼프 대통령이 연방정부 셧다운은 연방공무원을 축소시키는 계기가 될것이라고 말하고 있다.)>> The US federal government entered a shutdown (temporary suspension of operations) at 00:01 (local time) on the 1st. This unfortunate situation arose when the Republican and Democratic parties in the US Congress failed to reach an agreement on a budget bill. 미 연방정부가 1일 0시 1분(현지시간) 셧다운(일시적인 업무정지) 상태에 돌입했다. 미 의회에서 예산안을 두고 공화, 민주 양당이 서로 합의에 실패하면서 불행한 사태가 일어났다. This will directly impact government funding this month and beyond, and is expected to cause widespread disruption across the lives of Americans, from air travel to visits to zoos and national parks. 이로인해 이번 달 및 이후 정부가 운영하는 자금에 직접적인 영향을 주며,...
Janne Pak 2025.10.05
Janne Pak 2025.10.05
(9-25-2025)   by: Janne Pak(White House & State Department & Pentagon & Congress Correspondent) "The U.S. Secretary of War ordered an emergency call-up of U.S. military generals worldwide." [미 전쟁부 장관 전세계 미군장성들 긴급소집 명령!]) @President Trump responds to a reporter's question in the Oval Office, saying, "It's not particularly unusual.">> @Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War.>> Secretary of War John Hegseth has issued a call-up order to all active-duty U.S. generals serving worldwide. According to the Washington Post and Politico on the 25th (local time), Secretary Hegseth has ordered all active-duty U.S. military commanders above the rank of brigadier general to report to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, by the 30th. 헤그세스 미 전쟁부 장관이 전세계 각지에서 복무중인 현역 미군장성 전원에게 소집령을 내렸다. 25일(현지시간) 워싱턴 포스트와 폴리티코에 따르면 헤그세스 장관은 미군 현역 준장급이상 지휘관 전원에게 오는 30일까지 버지니아주 콴티코 해병대기지로 집결하라는 지시를 내렸다고 보도됐다. Amidst various speculations about the reason for the meeting, the U.S. War Department confirmed that Secretary Hegseth was scheduled to address the senior generals. 소집 사유에 대해 다양한 관측이 나온가운데, 미 전쟁부는 헤그세스 장관이 고위 장성들에게 연설할 예정이라고 회의소집 사실을 확인했다. This call-up reportedly targeted a majority of military generals serving at U.S. military bases across the...
Janne Pak 2025.09.27