Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Dec. 15 at his office in Government Complex-Seoul holds a phone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden. (Prime Minister's Office)

By Charles Audouin

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the morning of Dec. 15 held a phone conversation with U.S. President Joe Biden.

The Office for Government Policy Coordination, Prime Minister’s Secretariat said the two leaders reaffirmed democracy in Korea and their strong bilateral alliance.

"All state affairs will be thoroughly conducted according to the Constitution and laws," Acting President Han told President Biden. "The Korean government will smoothly implement policy toward foreign affairs and security."

"We will also cooperate to ensure the continued maintenance and unwavering development of the bilateral alliance."

"Given North Korea's nuclear threat that Korea and the U.S. are facing and deepening cooperation between Russia and the North, strengthening the Seoul-Washington joint defensive posture is more important than ever," he added.

President Biden "expressed his appreciation for the resiliency of democracy and the rule of law" in South Korea, the White House said in a statement.

He also said the strong bilateral alliance remains unchanged and pledged that the U.S. will work with Korea to develop and bolster their bilateral alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan.

Prime Minister Han on Dec. 14 became acting president after the National Assembly passed a bill to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

caudouin@korea.kr