US voices 'grave concern' over South Korea under martial law

Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Jung Yeon-je, AFP 

The United States expressed "grave concern" over South Korea after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law Tuesday and wants a resolution that follows "rule of law," Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said.

"We are watching the recent developments in the ROK with grave concern," Campbell said, referring to South Korea by its official name, the Republic of Korea.

"We have every hope and expectation that any political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law," he said.

"I do want to underscore that our alliance with the ROK is ironclad, and we stand by Korea in their time of uncertainty."

Yoon has been a close ally of the United States, with US President Joe Biden welcoming him on a state visit last year and South Korea in March hosting a global democracy summit, a signature idea of the outgoing US administration.

Campbell, a key US policymaker on Asia, said that Biden and other top officials were being briefed about the situation.