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U.S. Seeks ICC Dissolution, South Korea May Face Pressure

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The United States, under the Trump administration, has intensified its efforts to dismantle the International Criminal Court (ICC).
  • Secretary of State Mike Pompeo argued that the ICC is waging a "war" against the U.S. using international law and vowed to systematically neutralize its ability to target American personnel or threaten U.S. sovereignty.
  • The U.S. is considering expanding sanctions against ICC officials, including visa cancellations and entry bans, and is pressuring allies to cease financial support for the court, potentially impacting countries like South Korea which annually sends a judge to the ICC.

The United States has escalated its confrontation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), with the Trump administration actively pursuing the court's dissolution. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared in a video statement that the ICC and its allies are engaged in a "war" against the U.S. using legal frameworks and international conventions.

The Court and its supporters are waging a war against us using the law and conventions, not bullets and missiles. We will systematically neutralize the Court's ability to target our soldiers or officials, or otherwise threaten American sovereignty.

— Mike Pompeo, U.S. Secretary of StateStating the U.S. rationale for its actions against the ICC.

Pompeo asserted that the U.S. will systematically dismantle the ICC's capacity to target American soldiers or officials or otherwise threaten American sovereignty. The ICC, established in The Hague in 2002 under the Rome Statute, prosecutes war crimes, genocide, and other crimes against humanity. While 125 countries recognize its jurisdiction, the U.S. does not, viewing potential prosecution of its citizens under a legal system it has not consented to as a violation of its sovereignty.

The tension between the U.S. and the ICC has been particularly acute since the court issued arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others in connection with alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict. In response, the Trump administration imposed sanctions in February 2025, blocking assets of ICC officials. Three judges targeted by these sanctions have since filed lawsuits against Trump, labeling the measures as retaliatory and illegal.

We will work with all allies who share our vision to dismantle the Court, brick by brick.

— Mike PompeoExpressing determination to dismantle the ICC.

The U.S. is reportedly considering further sanctions, including canceling visas and banning entry for other ICC officials. Furthermore, the U.S. is actively pressuring other nations to withdraw from the ICC or cease their financial support. A State Department official indicated that countries relying on U.S. support while not rejecting the ICC's "fake jurisdiction" could face increased scrutiny. This diplomatic pressure could have implications for countries like South Korea, which has been sending a judge to the ICC annually since 2016.

Countries that do not reject the ICC's fake authority while relying on U.S. support are more likely to be subject to increased scrutiny.

— Anonymous U.S. State Department OfficialHinting at potential pressure on allies regarding their support for the ICC.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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