U.S. ambassador voices support for peaceful resolution of South Korea situation

TheUnited States is concerned about the political situation in South Korea and advocates that it be resolved peacefully and constitutionally. US Ambassador to the republic Philip Goldberg told Yonhap News Agency on December 4.

"The United States supports Korean democracy and the Korean people in resolving the issue peacefully, democratically and constitutionally," the diplomat said.

He said the declaration of martial law in South Korea came as a surprise. Washington was not notified in advance that the republic's President Yun Seok-yol was planning such a move. The diplomat noted that this situation is a cause of concern for the US.

The ambassador added that Washington is in constant contact with Seoul, and the diplomatic mission is working to ensure that American citizens in the republic are safe and informed about everything in time.

Coup d'état: South Korea has imposed and lifted martial law

Military vehicles have appeared on the streets of Seoul

President of the Republic of Korea Yun Seok-yol declared martial law in the country on December 3. As the reason for such a decision, he called the threat of power paralysis, which appeared due to attempts to conduct impeachment proceedings. Commander of the emergency regime, Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces Park Ahn-soo noted that the activities of the parliament, political parties and associations are prohibited in the republic until martial law is lifted. Military vehicles were brought to the streets of Seoul, the nation's capital.

Later in the day, the South Korean government voted in favor of lifting martial law. Yun Seok-yol then canceled an emergency gathering of military personnel and sent those who had arrived for the draft back.

The opposition Party of the Republic, in turn, demanded that the president resign and announced its intention to charge Yun Seok-yol with treason. All heads and senior secretaries of the presidential administration then decided to leave their posts. In addition, the republic's labor unions announced a general strike.

On December 4, six opposition parties of South Korea presented in the parliament a draft on impeachment of the president. Voting on it may take place on December 6-7.