Europe such as the UK "concerned about the martial law situation in Korea...Closely monitored"

Major European countries, including Britain and Germany, said they were closely monitoring the situation with concern over Yoon Suk Yeol's earlier declaration of a state of emergency.

The British Foreign Office said in a statement in the name of Deputy Secretary for Indo-Pacific Affairs Catherine West that the British Embassy in Seoul is deeply concerned about what happened in South Korea and is continuing to monitor the situation and in close contact with South Korean authorities.

It then called for a peaceful resolution in accordance with South Korean law and constitution, adding that British nationals living in South Korea should continue to comply with the Foreign Office's travel recommendations.

Britain's Foreign Ministry added a warning against South Korea in its travel advisory on its website: "Follow the advice of local authorities and avoid political protests."

European Union and EU spokespeople also said they were closely monitoring the situation in South Korea, while Germany's foreign ministry said it was closely monitoring the situation with great concern and stressed that democracy should win.

Russia's Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also told local media that the situation after South Korea's declaration of martial law is worrisome and that they are closely watching it.