Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has canceled his trip to South Korea following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law earlier this week, which critics have labeled as a misguided effort to suppress political opposition.
The Pentagon’s press secretary, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, confirmed that the visit is off and stated that there are currently no plans for a new date. He explained to reporters on Thursday, “Just given the events in [South Korea], it was deemed a prudent measure, and we’ll keep you updated in terms of a new date when that’s rescheduled.”
President Yoon faces backlash over martial law and corruption allegationsIn a surprising development, Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday and deployed military forces on the streets for several hours until the South Korean Parliament unanimously voted to revoke the declaration.
During a televised address, Yoon claimed that he was mobilizing the military against “pro-North Korean anti-state forces,” criticizing the opposition parties that dominate Parliament. As a response to the situation, opposition parties are now considering impeachment proceedings against the president, with votes anticipated on Saturday.
Faced with a Parliament controlled by the opposition, Yoon has encountered serious challenges in advancing his agenda, compounded by allegations of corruption involving his wife. The United States maintains a presence of approximately 28,000 troops in South Korea, primarily to counter threats from North Korea.