US Official Emphasizes Adherence to Laws as South Korean Parliament Votes to Revoke Emergency Martial Law
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Washington, Dec 4 (NationPress) A spokesperson from the State Department conveyed the United States' aspiration that laws and regulations will be upheld in South Korea, while responding to a query regarding the South Korean legislature's resolution urging the termination of emergency martial law.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel made these comments on Tuesday after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed emergency martial law, claiming the opposition was crippling the government through anti-state activities, coinciding with the National Assembly's passage of the resolution aimed at lifting the decree.
"I am certainly no expert in South Korean law and certainly how the South Korean legislature works and what the ins and outs are of that," Patel stated during a press briefing, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
"But certainly, it is our hope and expectation that the laws and regulations of a particular country are abided by by that particular country," he continued.
When asked again if the laws and regulations also encompass the National Assembly's resolution advocating for the lifting of martial law, Patel affirmed, "That would be the case as well."
"But again, I'm just not going to get ahead of the process here," he remarked, adding that Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been informed about the martial law declaration.
The spokesperson repeatedly emphasized Washington's anticipation that any political disputes in South Korea will be resolved peacefully. However, when inquired if Washington perceives the martial law declaration as politically motivated, he declined to classify it.
"It is not for us to characterize," he stated.
"What we are trying to do is continue to gather the facts and circumstances of what's occurring on the ground, engage appropriately with our counterparts both here in the United States and in Seoul, and then monitor and make necessary adjustments if required concerning our personnel and our citizens."
