[Capture News] White House Struggles With Foreign Correspondents' Questions Over 'Korean Martial Law'

The White House sent a two-sentence response to a YTN email query asking about Yoon Suk Yeol's position on lifting martial law.

He said he was relieved to take back his position on the declaration of martial law and respect the National Assembly's vote to lift martial law,

Democracy is the basis of the Korea-U.S. alliance and we will continue to watch the situation.

Earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden, who is visiting Angola, Africa, said he was briefed on the situation of martial law in South Korea when asked by reporters if he had been briefed.

[Joe Biden / U.S. President] (Mr. President, please say something about martial law in Korea) I just received a briefing. I didn't hear the details.]

The White House said it had not been informed in advance of Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and was seriously concerned about the situation in South Korea.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, who has overseen the Biden administration's Asia policy, also expressed significant concern.

[Kurt Campbell / U.S. Deputy Secretary of State] We are watching the developments in South Korea with grave concern. We are in contact with counter parts at all levels in Korea.

At the U.S. State Department briefing, questions about the situation of martial law in Korea were poured out from the beginning.There was no safety notice for Americans in Korea hours after the

" martial law was declared, is there a reason for the delay?"
" (President Yoon) held a democracy summit last March, was martial law a surprise announcement or has there been a voice of concern in the past?"

[Vedant Patel/U.S. State Department deputy spokesman] Diplomatic talks will, of course, be private. What I can tell you is that I was not informed of President Yoon's announcement in advance.]

The U.S. Department of Defense said it is closely monitoring North Korea for any signs of taking advantage of the martial law situation, but there is no change in the U.S. Forces Korea's posture.

This is YTN Kwon Jun-ki from Washington.

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