US backs ‘democratic system’ in South Korea, mum on Yoon impeachment
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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol suspended civilian rule late on Dec 3 only for lawmakers to vote down the measure.
PHOTO: NYTIMES
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WASHINGTON - The United States said on Dec 5 it expected South Korea to follow a democratic path but took no stance on lawmakers’ efforts to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived imposition of martial law.
“We’re encouraged by the democratic resilience of the Republic of Korea during a period of testing and, candidly, uncertainty, and we’re continuing to expect that the Republic of Korea’s democratic system and democratic process will prevail,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters, using the South’s official name.
Asked about the impeachment motion against Mr Yoon, Mr Patel called it an “internal process within the ROK, which we expect will be handled in accordance with the ROK Constitution”.
“There certainly are many questions that need to be answered regarding the decision-making surrounding these developments, and we hope and expect that those questions can be answered as soon as possible,” Mr Patel said.
Mr Yoon suspended civilian rule late on Dec 3 and deployed troops and helicopters to Parliament, only for lawmakers to vote down the measure and force him into a U-turn as protesters took to the street.
Asked if the US relationship could be business as usual with Mr Yoon, Mr Patel said the alliance “transcends any particular president or government on both sides of the Pacific Ocean”.
The United States voiced concern during the imposition of martial law but is not known to have intervened with South Korean officials at a senior level. AFP
