Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken participate in a news conference at the State Department, Oct. 31, in Washington, D.C. AFP-Yonhap

The top diplomats of Korea and the United States spoke by phone Saturday and agreed to coordinate their schedules to hold an in-person meeting "at an early date," the foreign ministry said, as the two countries seek to ensure their alliance remains strong despite the political turmoil in Seoul.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached the agreement amid concerns that the political turmoil in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration and his subsequent impeachment could affect the allies' coordination over security and other issues.

"The two sides agreed to coordinate their schedules to hold an in-person meeting at an early date," the ministry said in a release.

Cho called for efforts to maintain and develop the bilateral alliance without wavering under Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo, citing phone talks between Han and U.S. President Joe Biden earlier this week.

The minister also underscored the need for joint efforts to ensure that progress in cooperation between Seoul and Washington and between the allies and Tokyo will continue under the incoming U.S. administration, set to be launched Jan. 20.

Blinken agreed with Cho and expressed confidence in Han and Korea's democracy and its resilience, according to the ministry.

In a separate readout, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that Blinken conveyed to Cho the U.S.' "unwavering" support for the Korean people while emphasizing the importance both nations place on democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Blinken also reiterated the United States' commitment to the Korea-U.S. alliance remains "ironclad" and highlighted the "enduring nature of the alliance, which is rooted in shared values and mutual interests."

"Secretary Blinken expressed the intent of the United States to work alongside acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to pursue the alliance's shared goals, including regional security, prosperity and the promotion of democratic principles," Miller said.

On Thursday, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell told reporters the U.S. is planning on having high-level in-person engagement with the administration led by Han and that the Biden administration "fully" supports Han's interim role.

Cho and Blinken previously held phone talks Dec. 6 to discuss Yoon's short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3 and to reaffirm the bilateral alliance. (Yonhap)