Outgoing President Joe Biden's administration lacked a coherent policy on the Korean peninsula during its four years in power, with little meaningful intelligence, and the shocking imposition of martial law in Seoul on Tuesday. He seemed surprised.
President Yoon Seok-yeol announced Late Tuesday, it announced martial law, said to be in response to obstruction by the Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament. Yun argued that a transition to military rule was necessary to protect the country from unspecified “North Korean communist forces” and to fight the Congress, which he described as a “den of criminals.”
Mr. Yun's martial law collapsed within hours, with lawmakers rushing to parliament through crowds of heavily armed soldiers and unanimously voting against the measure. Democratic Party members, including Yun's presidential rival, party leader Lee Jae-myung, were photographed climbing over fences and walls to reach the Legislative Yuan.
The National Assembly voted against martial law around 1 a.m. local time, and Yin withdrew the declaration shortly after.
Mr. Yun is currently facing a formal trial. impeachmentwas introduced on Wednesday and supported by six political parties. Impeachment proceedings require the support of two-thirds of the National Assembly, which would require eight members of the People's Power Party (PPP) to vote for Yoon's removal from office.
President Biden is currently visiting Angola to announce a multibillion-dollar spending plan to help displaced people in Africa. White House officials said Mr. Yun has touted his close relationship with Mr. Biden in the past, serenading Mr. Biden with a rendition of “American Pie” at the White House. Do not notify Washington took such steps before the national address announcing martial law.
“The United States was not notified of this announcement in advance. We are deeply concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground in South Korea. [South Korea]'' said a spokesperson for the US National Security Council. said Reporters immediately after Yun's announcement. “The government is in contact with the South Korean government and is closely monitoring the situation and seeking further information.”
White House officials also said that Mr.received an explanation'', without elaborating on the situation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a public statement Tuesday saying he and other officials were “closely monitoring” the developments following Yun's announcement.
“We welcome President Yoon's statement that he will rescind emergency martial law in accordance with the South Korean Constitution, following the unanimous rejection of emergency martial law by the National Assembly,” Blinken said. “We continue to hope that political differences will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law. We reaffirm our support.”
The Biden administration distanced itself from the declaration of martial law, but did not outright condemn the declaration at any point. I felt relieved Following the cancellation of the order.
He spoke to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency and the US Ambassador to Seoul, Philip Goldberg. admitted The declaration came as a “surprise” to Washington, he said Thursday.
“It was a surprise. Right after the president's announcement, I woke up to the news…We watched it unfold like everyone else,” Goldberg said. “We were concerned about last night's events. At the same time, we are encouraged by the resilience of South Korea's democracy. I support a solution based on this.”
Goldberg reiterated the Biden administration's common line that the US government's support for South Korea is “ironclad.”
Mr. Biden and Mr. Yoon have maintained an ostensibly friendly relationship since Mr. Yoon defeated Mr. Lee, a representative of the Democratic Party, in the hotly contested 2022 presidential election. A lack of urgency on the part of the Biden administration to address the threat from communist North Korea has brought tensions between the two administrations to a boil, prompting Biden to take drastic steps to reorient the relationship. Throughout his term as president, Yun has taken a tough stance on North Korea, including threatening to take harsh military action in response to demands by dictator Kim Jong Un to “drastically increase” the number of nuclear warheads in his arsenal. has been prioritized.
“The Republic of Korea may deploy tactical nuclear weapons or possess its own nuclear arsenal,” Yun said in a public appearance shortly after Kim called for a “drastic increase” in arsenals. . Developing indigenous nuclear weapons is a popular policy in South Korea, but strongly discouraged by the United States, the United Nations, and most of the free world.
In July 2023, Biden dispatched the U.S.S. kentuckyThe visit by a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine to the southern port city of Busan is the first of its kind since 1981. Aboard the submarine, Yun made it clear that the purpose of his visit was to threaten North Korea with nuclear retaliation if it chose. attack the south.
“U.S.S. kentucky“This deployment clearly demonstrates the commitment of South Korea and the United States to regularly deploy U.S. strategic assets and strengthen the credibility of extended deterrence,” Yun said during a tour of the ship.
Mr. Biden's lack of leadership on the Korean issue has also led Mr. Yoon to actively appeal for support from other North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member states, warning that the North Korean military is preparing for war in Ukraine. months before the first reports of North Korea posing an imminent threat to Ukraine. Europe.
