Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during a press conference at the Government Complex Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo renewed a pledge, Wednesday, to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance spanning economic and security cooperation under President-elect Donald Trump amid escalating tensions in the region.

A day earlier, Han presided over a Cabinet meeting and called on officials to take proactive measures to brace for potential policy shifts under a second Trump term.

"The U.S. still has the world's most powerful economic and military strength, and significant influence in making international policy decisions. We will carefully monitor the impact of Trump's policies on our economy and business activities and pursue policies in a direction that strengthens the South Korea-U.S. alliance and maximizes our national interest," Han said during a press conference, Wednesday.

The prime minister noted that the security environment surrounding South Korea and the international community has gone through significant alterations due to leadership changes, as well as war in the Middle East and Ukraine.

He also addressed concerns about North Korean troops in Russia. Earlier in the day, the U.S. Department of State said North Korean troops have entered combat operations against Ukrainian forces in Russia's Kursk region.

Asked if South Korea will consider increasing support for Ukraine, Han said, "Nothing has been decided yet. It's not desirable to make a move alone. We must work together with the international community and the U.S. and respond accordingly."

The prime minister also shared thoughts on the launch of a consultative body involving the ruling People Power Party (PPP), the government and doctors' groups, without the participation of main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) or junior doctors. The consultative body was launched Monday, seeking to resolve a prolonged walkout by junior doctors. It aims to produced meaningful results by late December.

"I hope the DPK and junior doctors join the consultative body to facilitate discussions on ways to break the medical impasse," Han said.

Medical doctors walks past an emergency room at a major hospital in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

The nation's medical system, particularly emergency services, has been suffering a staffing crisis for more than nine months after thousands of junior doctors walked off their jobs in response to the government's plan to increase the enrollment quota at medical schools by 2,000 for next year.

Lim Hyun-taek, chief of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), was impeached on Sunday amid a series of controversies over inappropriate remarks on the current health care service disruptions. The KMA will select the next head of its emergency committee as early as Wednesday.

Han expressed hope that the new chief of the emergency committee will help find a breakthrough in talks between the government and doctors.

"The government wishes to have an open and honest conversation with doctors. I wish the next head of the KMA shares the same commitment in caring for the health and safety of our people and building sustainable medical systems," he said.

The prime minister also hinted at the possibility of President Yoon Suk Yeol carrying out a Cabinet reshuffle. There have been calls for a personnel overhaul of the presidential aides.

"The presidential office announced that Yoon has entered into the verification process," he said. "I think a Cabinet reshuffle is being seriously reviewed."