Political Crisis Related To President Yoon, US Believes In The Democracy Process In South Korea

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken / PHOTO via Instagram @secblinken

JAKARTA - The United States expressed "serious concerns" to Seoul after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law last month.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said this at a press conference in Seoul with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.

"We directly convey this (serious concern) to the government," Blinken said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Monday, January 6.

This statement comes amid the latest efforts by South Korean investigators and police to carry out an arrest warrant against Yoon, who has been impeached after surprising the nation on December 3 with its emergency law decree.

However, Blinken insists that the US has "a great trust in South Korean democracy."

The US alliance with South Korea, which hosts more than 28,500 US troops, is "still more important than ever," Blinken said.

During a two-day visit to South Korea, Blinken also held talks with South Korean interim President Choi Sang-mok, as part of his final visit before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.

South Korea has now been caught up in a prolonged political crisis since last month due to the brief implementation of martial law that has caused chaos in government affairs.

The opposition-dominated parliament impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who previously took over the leadership after Yoon was ousted.

Currently, Yoon faces a court at the Constitutional Court that will decide whether Yoon will be permanently removed from office or restored.

The 63-year-old leader became South Korea's first president to face charges of treason and rebellion, as well as a travel ban.

He also faces an unprecedented arrest warrant, which expires on Monday, after Yoon refused a court order to attend an investigation by investigators.

Last week, presidential security prevented a joint team led by the Corruption Investigation Office for High Officials (CIO) from entering to detain Yoon.

Now, CIO has asked police to carry out the arrest warrant, and the case could be filed against the party that obstructed Yoon's detention.

Investigators will also try to extend the warrant to arrest Yoon.