US Ambassador to Korea on Korean Peninsula Tensions..."US Ready for Any Situation"

Philip Goldberg, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, said on the 11th (local time) that he is "prepared for anything" amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula triggered by North Korea's filth balloons targeting the South.

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Ambassador Goldberg stated on a podcast hosted by the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) that North Korea's release of "filth balloons" is "absurd and very unproductive," and emphasized, "We will fully support our ally South Korea in all these matters."

He explained that General Paul LaCamera, the Commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, and the U.S. Embassy in South Korea are closely monitoring the situation between North and South Korea. He also mentioned that the U.S. will not lower its defense posture in response to the unpredictable North Korea.

Ambassador Goldberg said, "We are discussing a full range of military and security policies to reassure the South Korean government and people about the U.S. commitment," and emphasized, "The 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea are evidence of America's long-term security commitment."

However, while criticizing North Korea's filth balloons, he cautiously expressed concern about the South Korean civilian groups' leaflet campaigns to the North, which have been cited as a cause. He said, "Of course, we believe in freedom of expression," but added, "We understand that it is necessary to ease tensions rather than escalate them."

Furthermore, he highlighted that the current tense situation differs from the past due to the dynamics arising from strengthened North Korea-Russia relations and North Korea's management of its relationship with China, urging, "I hope some caution is exercised regarding that aspect."

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