The U.S. State Department stated on Monday on the questions on Republic of Korea President Yoon's martial law situation, including his travel ban, that they regard President Yoon as a counterpart in Korea to President Jo Biden but that "the political process in Korea should play out under ROK's laws and its Constitution." This underlines the principle that President Yoon is still recognized as the head of state while stressing that the current political chaos should promptly be resolved through the rule of law.
During the State Department daily press briefing, Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the U.S. "stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Korean people and is most true in times of testing and uncertainty." He added that what is important is "the democratic resilience of Korea, which was hard-won for several decades."
However, major foreign media outlets noted that the leadership vacuum in Korea is damaging a wide range of areas at an accelerated speed. The New York Times said regarding the travel ban imposed on the president that the country has been thrust into a leadership vacuum and that Koreans are unsure who is governing the country. The Washington Post also noted that state affairs management is practically in paralysis and that the follow-up measures taken by the ruling party are a part of a power struggle and legally obscure as well.
Some pointed out that the damage is spilling over the security and other sectors. The Reuters noted, citing its sources in the defense industry, that political turmoil, if prolonged, can have long-term negative effects on weapon export contracts. It cited the cancellation of planned visits to South Korea by Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, who was interested in inspecting defense facilities, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who had shown a strong interest in defense cooperation.
The Japanese government is extremely cautious about mentioning Korea's current internal affairs, while some key local media are showing concerns about Korean relations day after day. The Asahi Shimbun noted in its December 10 editorial that despite President Yoon's undeniable role in improving Korea-Japan relations, risks of relying excessively on personal relationships have become apparent. The Yomiuri Shimbun commented that the Japanese government is unlikely to take any action for the time being due to concerns about being dragged into Korea's domestic political turbulence.
China's state-run Global Times forecast on the 10th that the painful period of Korea's political drama is yet to be over and that its diplomatic uncertainties may deepen as long-term summit diplomacy will be paralyzed among other issues.
워싱턴=문병기특파원 weappon@donga.com