U.S. Official Criticizes South Korea's Martial Law Decision

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faced severe criticism from U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell following his abrupt declaration of martial law, which was rescinded hours later after parliamentary opposition. Campbell described Yoon's actions as a 'bad misjudgment' and 'deeply problematic', emphasizing the negative historical context of martial law in South Korea. The U.S. government, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, expressed surprise at Yoon's unilateral decision, highlighting a lack of prior communication. Yoon justified the declaration as a response to perceived threats from political opponents, but it sparked immediate backlash, with lawmakers moving to impeach him. Campbell noted that this incident reflects a strong democratic response from South Korean citizens and political factions, united against the martial law declaration. Moving forward, the U.S. aims to reinforce its alliance with South Korea amidst these political tensions.