The United States (US) is following developments in South Korea with great concern after President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a state of emergency, the State Department said.
Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said the US is working with its South Korean counterparts at all levels.
“Secretary Antony Blinken has been briefed and we are keeping him informed of developments and closely monitoring developments on the ground,” Patel said.
He added that the US alliance with the Republic of Korea is strong and that they are fully committed to working together.
“We hope and expect that any political dispute will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law,” Patel said.
US President Joe Biden has also been briefed on developments in South Korea.
South Korean President Yoon declared a state of emergency in the country on Tuesday. However, the opposition quickly passed a motion in parliament demanding the lifting of the state of emergency.
President Yoon declared a state of emergency in a televised address, saying it was necessary to “protect the country from North Korea’s communist forces and eliminate anti-state actors.”
Since taking office in 2022, President Yoon has been trying to impose his agenda against the opposition-controlled parliament.
