Official statements from the White House or U.S. State Department

South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol Declares Martial Law Without U.S. Notification

Dec 3, 2024, 05:48 PM

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law without prior notification to the United States, according to a National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson. The U.S. expressed serious concern over the developments in South Korea, a country that hosts a significant number of American troops and is a close ally. The White House has not yet issued an official reaction to the announcement, but the NSC's statement indicates a lack of forewarning from President Yoon, causing unease in Washington. The U.S. ambassador to South Korea described the situation as 'fluid.'