On October 20, the US State Department issued a statement affirming its respect for South Korea's judiciary following a controversial message from the White House a day earlier regarding the first court ruling against former President Yoon Suk-yeol. This statement emphasized the shared commitment to the rule of law between the United States and South Korea and underscored that the matter is an internal issue of the South Korean judicial system. The message seemed to aim at mitigating the confusion caused by the previous White House remarks, which had attracted criticism.

On the previous day, a senior White House official refrained from taking a stance on the Korean judicial matters while expressing concerns about politically motivated attacks in Korea, particularly against figures in the religious community and American businesses. This led to questions and criticism regarding the appropriateness and clarity of the US administration’s position on South Korean judicial issues. It was suggested that these comments were connected to previous concerns expressed by other US officials about specific incidents involving Korean companies and notable public figures.

The State Department’s subsequent clarification aligns with a past pattern wherein the department aimed to restore balance and focus on the enduring alliance between the US and South Korea following potentially destabilizing comments from the White House. Similar situations have occurred previously, highlighting the need for clear communication between the two nations as they navigate complex diplomatic relations, especially in contexts involving judicial matters and perceived political influences.