The United States, United Nations and Russia on Tuesday raised concerns over the escalating political crisis in South Korea following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law and the subsequent vote by South Korean lawmakers to block the decree.
The US said it was not given any warning by South Korea that President Yoon would declare martial law in a country that is one of Washington’s closest allies.
“The US was not notified in advance of this announcement. We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground,” AFP quoted a White House National Security Council statement as saying.
In a separate statement, the US said that it hoped South Korean authorities would respect a vote by lawmakers to rescind martial law imposed by President Yoon.
“Certainly it is our hope and expectation that the laws and regulations of a particular country are abided by. That does include the National Assembly vote,” AFP quoted State Department spokesman Vedant Patel as telling reporters.
The United Nations said it’s monitoring the political upheaval in South Korea “very closely and with concern”.
“We’re watching the situation very closely and with concern,” AFP quoted Stephane Djuarric, spokesman for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as telling reporters.
“The situation is evolving quickly,” he added.
Expressing concern, the Kremlin too said that it’s paying close attention to the development in South Korea.
Content retrieved from: https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-un-and-russia-express-concern-as-south-koreas-martial-law-sparks-political-turmoil-13841339.html.
