– We are pleased that President Chun reversed his ominous declaration of martial law and respected the decision of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea to end martial law. A spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council said democracy is the foundation of the U.S.-South Korea alliance and will continue to monitor the situation.
US comments on the situation in South Korea
Earlier, State Department Deputy Spokesman Vedant Patel said he hoped the conflict would end peacefully in accordance with the rule of law, including respecting the unanimous decision of the South Korean parliament to lift martial law. He indicated that the United States expects such a move.
U.S. government representatives stressed that they had not been informed of Jun's decision to declare martial law. He also added that he was in contact with South Korean authorities, but did not provide details of the talks. The Pentagon reported that U.S. troops stationed in the country are also in contact with South Korean troops.
See also: South Korea introduces martial law
President Jun Seok Chol came under fire for declaring martial law and then lifting it. The opposition Democratic Party of Japan, which holds a majority in Congress, announced that it would immediately begin impeachment proceedings if Jun does not resign.
“Mr. Jun's declaration of martial law is a clear violation of the constitution. It is a grave act of treason, and it is an excellent ground for impeachment,” the Democratic Progressive Party's draft resolution quoted by Yonhap News said.
Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Park Chang-dae said, “It has become clear to all the people that President Chun can no longer properly govern the country. He should resign.''
South Korea. Politicians demand president's resignation
The declaration of martial law was also criticized by members of parliament from the president's political party, the People Power Party (PPP). The association's president, Han Dong-hoon, demanded that Jun explain this “disastrous decision” and the resignation of Defense Minister Kim Jong-hee-un. “As the ruling party, we deeply apologize to the people for today's tragic situation,” Han said.
The Korea Democratic Union of Trade Unions (KCTU), South Korea's largest labor union with 1.2 million people, announced that its members will go on an indefinite strike until Jun resigns.
After the turmoil, many ministers resigned. According to Yonhap News, at least 10 of the presidential chiefs of staff who have resigned include Blue House Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok, National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik, and Presidential Chief Political Secretary Son Tae-joon.
See also: Russia and China are growing closer. Koreans responded to joint patrol
In June, they announced the decision to impose emergency martial law on Tuesday. At 22:25 local time (2:00 p.m. Polish time), they announced the “elimination of anti-national forces.” In his speech, he accused the rebels of paralyzing government work and sympathizing with communist North Korea.
Immediately afterwards, protesters and members of parliament gathered in front of parliament. Special forces soldiers also entered the South Korean National Assembly building.
Less than three hours later, a plenary session attended by 190 of the 300 members of parliament passed a resolution calling on the head of state to abolish martial law. All attendees voted “yes”. Among them were 18 representatives of the ruling People's Power Party, which Atsushi is from, and 172 opposition members.
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