US Says It Will "Continue to Speak Out to Strengthen Korean Democracy" Amid Martial Law Emergency

Jake Sullivan National Security Advisor
"No Consultation with the US" Reconfirmed

The White House in the United States stated on the 4th (local time) that South Korea's democratic procedures functioned appropriately regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration and lifting of martial law, and that it will continue to voice its opinions publicly to strengthen Korean democracy in the future.

Yonhap News

Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, said this after delivering a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and responding to questions about the martial law situation in South Korea, stating, "South Korea's democracy is strong and resilient."

He emphasized, "We will continue to speak out publicly," and "We will communicate privately with South Korea's interlocutors and reinforce the importance of this."

This is interpreted as an indication that the U.S. will express concerns or opposition if a similar situation arises in South Korea in the future.

Advisor Sullivan also reaffirmed that he was not notified in advance about President Yoon's declaration of martial law. The day before, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council (NSC) also stated that they had not received prior notification from the South Korean government.

He said, "We did not consult in any way (with the South Korean government beforehand regarding martial law)," and "Like other countries around the world, we learned about the announcement through TV." He added that the declaration of martial law "raised our deep concerns," and explained, "The president lifted the martial law according to the constitutional procedures of the National Assembly, and a series of procedures responding to what happened are now underway."

Furthermore, Advisor Sullivan stressed, "We want to see South Korea's democratic system functioning properly," and "Even after a somewhat dramatic announcement that sounded an alarm for everywhere including the United States, we have seen these procedures operating."