Andy Kim criticized for "declaring martial law, increasing Korea's vulnerability."

Representative Andy Kim, the first Korean to be elected to the U.S. Senate, criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of emergency martial law on the 3rd local time for increasing Korea's vulnerability.

Representative Kim said in a statement, "The South Korean National Assembly's decision to lift martial law should be respected as an important measure to ease tensions."

He also stressed that "democracy always poses challenges," but that "it must be resolved through a democratic and open process."

In particular, he said, "This method of declaring martial law has weakened the fundamental foundation of people's rule and dramatically increased Korea's vulnerability at a time when people should enjoy security and stability."

Not only Representative Kim, but also the Federal Assembly has voiced concerns about Korea's emergency martial law."The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is closely watching the situation in South Korea, an important ally of the United States," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) said in a statement. "We acknowledge the action taken by the Korean National Assembly (to demand the lifting of the martial law) and reaffirm the common commitment of democratic principles and the rule of law."

Kardin also stressed that the determined will of the Korean people and the resilience of the (democratic) system will undoubtedly get through this difficult time.

Sen. Marco Rubio (Republican, Florida), who was nominated as Secretary of State for the second term of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's administration, told VOA that the declaration of martial law was "an internal matter in Korea" and "will be watching carefully." There is a dynamic democracy in Korea. They will solve the problem through the legislature, and we will see what happens," he said.

Rep. Ami Vera of California, the Democratic secretary of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee's Indo-Pacific subcommittee and co-chair of the Congress' Korea Caucus, said in a post on social media X, "I strongly condemn the declaration of martial law," and "I urge you to respect Korea's democratic system and protect the rule of law."

Representative Brad Sherman (Democrat, California) also strongly criticized President Yoon's declaration of martial law in a statement, saying, "As Asia's so-called honorary chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I will keep an eye on the issue and try to oppose further attacks on Korean democracy."