USA: We are closely monitoring developments in South Korea with 'serious concern'

Kurt Campbell, the Deputy Secretary of State for the United States, stated on Tuesday that the U.S. is closely monitoring recent developments in South Korea, a Washington ally, with 'serious concern' and hopes that any political disputes in the country will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the law. These remarks from the senior U.S. official came after Yoon Suk-yeol, the President of South Korea, unexpectedly declared martial law on Tuesday evening, December 4. Campbell noted that President Joe Biden, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are regularly updated on the latest developments in South Korea. He emphasized the 'ironclad' alliance between the U.S. and South Korea and expressed hope that 'any political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.' In a televised address, Yoon Suk-yeol stated his intention to eliminate 'brazen' pro-North Korean and anti-South Korean forces. Hours later, the South Korean parliament convened on Wednesday morning (local time) with 190 out of 300 representatives present and voted to revoke the martial law declared by the President. Reuters described this event as 'the most serious challenge to South Korea's democracy' and reported that the South Korean President, focusing on his political opponents in the country, made no mention of any specific threat from North Korea. South Korea, as a democratic country, has not experienced martial law since the 1980s. Meanwhile, reports emerged of special forces entering the South Korean parliament and attempting to access the main chamber. Following the declaration of martial law, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing the military, that all parliamentary and political party activities were banned and media and publishers were placed under control. This surprising action by the South Korean President was accompanied by financial shock, leading to a decrease in the exchange rate of the Korean won against the U.S. dollar. In this context, a central bank official stated that the institution is preparing measures to stabilize the market if necessary. Yoon stated at the time of the martial law declaration that he had no choice but to resort to such action to protect the 'free and constitutional order.' He emphasized that opposition parties had 'taken the parliamentary process hostage to create a crisis in the country.' He also referred to 'protecting the free Republic of Korea against the threat of North Korean communist forces, eradicating the detestable anti-government forces supporting North Korea that plunder the freedom and happiness of our people, and protecting the free order based on the constitution' as reasons for declaring martial law. Although Yoon did not specify who these anti-government forces supporting North Korea were, he had previously described such forces as an obstacle to implementing his plans and weakening the country.