US not warned in advance of South Korea's declaration of martial law

(CLO) On Tuesday, the White House expressed "relief" when South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol decided to withdraw the martial law order he had previously issued.

"We are relieved that President Yoon has reversed his troubling decision to declare martial law and respect the decision of the South Korean National Assembly to lift it," a spokesman for the US National Security Council said in a statement.

Soldiers enter the main hall of the National Assembly in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: Yonhap / AP

Yoon lifted the brief martial law order on Wednesday after strong opposition from the South Korean National Assembly and thousands of protesters took to the streets. The White House said earlier that it had not been informed of the decision to declare martial law and had been closely monitoring the situation through its communications channels with the South Korean government .

"We expect political differences to be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the law," Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters Tuesday evening, adding that the United States welcomed President Yoon's decision to lift martial law just hours after it was imposed.

The US Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday advised US citizens to stay away from areas where protests are taking place after martial law was lifted.

The US currently has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea to protect its ally. The US and South Korea have held regular joint military exercises for many years.

Mr. Yoon, a close ally of the United States, was welcomed by outgoing President Joe Biden on a state visit last year. South Korea also hosted the Global Democracy Conference in March this year, a U.S. initiative.

Recently, President Yoon also sent congratulations to Donald Trump after his election victory in November, expressing hope for close cooperation with the new US administration.

Hong Hanh (according to Reuters, SCMP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-cho-biet-khong-duoc-canh-bao-truoc-ve-tuyen-bo-thiet-quan-luat-cua-han-quoc-post324073.html