1 month ago
33
December 4, 2024 | 09:07 pm
TEMPO.CO, Seoul - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who vowed to make his country a "global pivotal state", faced immediate international diplomatic fallout on Wednesday after his botched attempt to impose martial law.
Yoon declared martial law in a live TV address late on Tuesday night, only to reverse course six hours later after parliament defied police and special forces cordons to vote to block the move.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who was due to hold a summit with Yoon this week, will skip the scheduled visit, his spokesperson said on Wednesday.
"Given the recent developments, we have decided to postpone the visit," the spokesperson said in a statement.
The United States, South Korea's main ally, indefinitely postponed meetings of the Nuclear Consultative Group and related tabletop military exercises, a U.S. official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The NCG is a signature Yoon effort aimed at having South Korea play a greater role in allied planning for a potential nuclear war on the peninsula.
Around 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea and it was not immediately clear if other joint military exercises would be affected. A spokesperson for U.S. Forces-Korea did not respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. and South Korean militaries are "in contact", the Pentagon said on Tuesday, adding there was no request for assistance from Seoul amid the unfolding events.
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder told a news briefing he also did not believe the martial law declaration had any significant impact so far on the U.S. troops, some of whom work in combined commands with the South Korean military.
A White House spokesperson earlier said the U.S. was not notified in advance of Yoon's announcement and added: "We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground."
The martial law declaration cast doubts over a possible visit next week by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Japanese media reported he was due to meet South Korean and Japanese counterparts as part of trilateral efforts championed by Yoon.
Japan's lawmaker group on Korean affairs led by former premier Yoshihide Suga canceled a Seoul visit slated for mid-December, according to Akihisa Nagashima, a special advisor to Japan's prime minister who was due to travel with the group.
"The turmoil in South Korea's domestic politics since last night continues to be alarming," Nagashima wrote in a post on X.
"It is a tense situation in which the fate of the Yoon administration must be closely watched to see whether it will be able to overcome the fierce public opposition."
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba earlier told reporters Tokyo was monitoring the situation "with particular and grave interest."
Duyeon Kim of the Center for a New American Security said Yoon’s international reputation as a symbol of democracy had been ruined.
"The fate of Yoon’s foreign policies remains uncertain and even bleak," she added.
REUTERS | Josh Smith
Editor's Choice: South Korea's Martial Law Affects Domestic Entertainment Industry, Concerts Proceed as Planned
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
South Korea's Martial Law Affects Domestic Entertainment Industry; Concerts Proceed as Planned
4 jam lalu
Entertainment events in South Korea were affected by the sudden and short-lived martial law imposed by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday night.
Prabowo Urges Caution in Response to South Korea's Martial Law Turmoil
4 jam lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has expressed concern over South Korea's declaration of martial law.
Indonesians Urged to Be Alert After South Korea's Short-Lived Military Emergency
7 jam lalu
The Indonesian Embassy in Seoul issued a response following the declaration of a military emergency in South Korea by President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Latest U.S. Crackdown on China's Semiconductor Industry Likely to Affect 140 Companies
7 jam lalu
The United States tightens export restrictions on the semiconductor industry in China. It will impact around 140 companies.
White House 'Relieved' After South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol Backtracks on Imposing Martial Law
8 jam lalu
The South Korean President had imposed martial law effective on Tuesday night for the first time in 45 years. It was short-lived.
Yoon Suk Yeol, His Profile and Series of Controversies that Reduced His Popularity
10 jam lalu
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declares a martal law, a move considered wrong by his own party.
South Korea's Opposition to Begin Impeachment if President Yoon Suk Yeol Doesn't Step Down
10 jam lalu
The National Assembly can impeach the President of South Korea if more than two-thirds of parliament members vote for it. The trial will then be held by the Constitutional Court.
US Monitors South Korea Situation After Martial Law Declaration
13 jam lalu
The United States (US) govt, led by President Joe Biden, stated that they are monitoring situation after South Korea announced a martial law.
South Korean Citizens Demand Arrest of President After Declaring Martial Law
14 jam lalu
Hundreds of South Korean citizens, who protested the martial law, demanded the arrest of President Yoon Suk Yeol in front of the parliament building.
38 Vietnamese Tourists Missing on South Korea's Jeju Island
14 jam lalu
The missing Vietnamese tourists are part of a group of tourists from Vietnam who came to Jeju Island, South Korea, by a chartered plane.
