Opposition Party Pushes For Impeachment Of South Korean President After "Badly Misjudged" Martial Law Declaration

South Korea’s ruling People Power party's floor leader Choo Kyung-ho said, "All 108 lawmakers of the People Power Party will stay united to reject the president's impeachment”.

WASHINGTON/SEOUL - After South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly declared martial law on December 3rd, only to retract it six hours later, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell criticized the move, stating that Yoon had "badly misjudged" the situation.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the United States had no knowledge of the South Korean President’s intention to announce martial law despite the fact that the U.S. currently has about 28,500 soldiers stationed in the country.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken

"No, that's correct. We were not aware," he said added, "We are certainly not routinely informed of every decision that any partner may be making anywhere around the world at any given time”.

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that he learned about it "on television, the same way the rest of the world did", adding that it, "It raised deep concern for us, this declaration of martial law."

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan

He added that the "rather dramatic announcement […] raised alarm bells everywhere, including here in Washington”.

Campbell said that the events following the announcement were "deeply unpredictable and unlikely”, adding “I think President Yoon badly misjudged. And I think the memory of previous experiences of martial law have a deep and negative resonance in South Korea."

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell

He also said that U.S. officials within South Korea at the time of the announcement were “deeply surprised” by it, including the foreign minister, finance minister, and “many of the key players that we work with in the president's office”.

South Korea’s ruling People Power party's floor leader Choo Kyung-ho said, "All 108 lawmakers of the People Power Party will stay united to reject the president's impeachment”.

Yoon Said He Declared Martial Law To Protect The Country From North Korean Communist Forces, And To Eliminate Anti-State Elements: