Congressman Brad Sherman Statement on President Yoon’s Efforts to Impose Martial Law in South Korea

Washington, D.C. – On December 3rd, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) released the following statement on President Yoon’s Efforts to Impose Martial Law in South Korea:

“I applaud South Korea’s National Assembly for voting 190 to zero to end President Yoon’s outrageous declaration of martial law and uphold South Korea’s democracy. 

President Yoon’s surprise declaration of martial law not only harkened back to the martial law imposed by South Korea’s military dictatorship in the 1980s, but also threatened the very foundation of South Korea’s democracy by targeting its democratically-elected opposition. It’s important to note that lawmakers of all parties, including President Yoon’s, voted to overturn the martial law declaration, underscoring the importance of rejecting threats to democracy even when they come from one’s own party. 

President Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law on South Korea was not only an attack on South Korea’s democracy, but also a threat to the longstanding U.S.-Korea alliance and particularly our defense partnership which is built on shared democratic values. President Yoon’s appalling decision thus undermined South Korea’s most important defense element – it’s strategic alliance with the United States.

South Korea’s democracy must be vigilantly safeguarded to ensure this dark chapter is never repeated. As Chair Emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Asia Subcommittee, I will monitor this issue and work to oppose any further attacks on South Korea’s democracy.”

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