[en] We have performed X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and resonant photoemission spectroscopy (RPES) measurements of Mn-implanted 3C-SiC (3C-SiC:Mn) and carbon-incorporated Mn₅Si₂ (Mn₅Si₂:C). The Mn 2p core-level XPS and XAS spectra of 3C-SiC:Mn and Mn₅Si₂:C were similar to each other and showed 'intermediate' behaviors between the localized and itinerant Mn 3d states. The intensity at the Fermi level was found to be suppressed in 3C-SiC:Mn compared with Mn₅Si₂:C. These observations are consistent with the formation of Mn₅Si₂:C clusters in the 3C-SiC host, as observed in a recent transmission electron microscopy study. (author)