A sudden political storm hit South Korea when President Yoon Suk Yeol announced martial law during an un-expected late-nite TV broadcast (marking the biggest shake-up since the 80s democratic changes)
The situation got more complex when law-makers voted against the presidents decision; while troops in full-gear tried entering the parliament building: protesters gathered outside and assembly workers used fire-extinguishers to keep soldiers away
Kurt Campbell US Deputy State Secretary shared Washingtonʼs position: “We are watching the recent developments in ROK with grave concern“ [[speaking at State Department event]]
Top-level US officials including President Biden‚ Jake Sullivan and Antony Blinken stay up-to-date with the un-folding crisis. A White House rep confirmed they werent told about the martial law before-hand; however the US-Korean partnership remains strong
We stand by Korea in their time of uncertainty; we have every hope and expectation that any political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law
The US aims to keep contact with Korean counter-parts through various channels — both in Washington and Seoul — as the democratic stand-off continues between the military parliament and citizens