Unrest in South Korea
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The implementation of Martial Law in South Korea is putting pressure on President Biden and the important U.S. alliance with the country. The Biden administration has praised South Korea for being a strong democracy and has strengthened military partnerships with them to help protect against threats from North Korea, China, and Russia.
Written by Edward Wong and Michael Crowley.
Updating from the capital
South Korea has been a significant ally to the United States in Asia for many years, due to the presence of around 30,000 American troops and its status as a democratic country in a region where authoritarian governments often compete with democratic ones.
President Biden has shown a strong focus on South Korea by selecting it as the inaugural foreign location for his Summit for Democracy event. In 2023, he welcomed President Yoon Suk Yeol to the White House for a state dinner, during which Mr. Yoon entertained the crowd by singing "American Pie." Additionally, President Biden has collaborated with President Yoon to supply weapons for Ukraine’s protection against the Russian aggression.
Currently, Mr. Yoon has declared martial law and made unfounded accusations against the opposition party, claiming they are working with North Korea to overthrow him. This could potentially strain the long-standing relationship between the United States and South Korea.
Mr. Biden, who has focused on democracy versus autocracy in his foreign policy, will need to make difficult decisions on how to address the crisis. This comes after building relationships with Mr. Yoon, a conservative leader, and strengthening military connections to address challenges from China, North Korea, and Russia.
The Biden administration was surprised by Mr. Yoon’s decision. Mr. Biden had a meeting with Mr. Yoon at the White House in April 2023, where they both acknowledged the importance of their democracies and people as sources of strength.
The White House National Security Council released a brief statement on Tuesday in Washington regarding South Korea, expressing their concerns about the situation and stating that they were not informed beforehand. They are in contact with the South Korean government and are closely monitoring the developments.
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