Acting South Korean President Han Duck-soo spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, marking their first official communication since South Korea entered a period of political instability following the ouster of President Yoon Suk Yeol over a controversial martial law declaration.

The phone call came just four days after South Korea’s Constitutional Court officially removed Yoon from office, citing his short-lived imposition of martial law in December as grounds for dismissal. The conversation between Han and Trump was seen as a critical step to reestablish stable diplomatic ties with Washington amid ongoing concerns over North Korea, economic policies, and US-imposed tariffs, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Han’s engagement with Trump is expected to help calm political uncertainties and reassure international partners during a leadership vacuum that had threatened to stall high-level discussions.

Earlier Tuesday, the South Korean government announced June 3 as the date for the next presidential election, in accordance with constitutional requirements mandating a new vote within 60 days of a presidency becoming vacant. June 3 was also declared a temporary public holiday.

The National Election Commission began early registration of candidates immediately after Yoon’s dismissal last Friday. May 11 has been set as the registration deadline, while official campaigning will begin on May 12. Public servants planning to run must resign by May 4.

The new President will assume office immediately after the election, as South Korea’s system does not allow for a presidential transition period.

Yoon, once a top prosecutor who rose swiftly to the presidency in just three years, now becomes the second South Korean leader to be removed from office by the Constitutional Court, following Park Geun-hye’s ouster in 2017 over a corruption scandal. His surprise martial law move had rattled the nation for months, deepening political divisions.

The early election in 2017 was also held exactly 60 days after Park’s removal, on May 9, drawing a historical parallel to the current situation.