Situation in South Korea

US wants situation in South Korea to resolve peacefully and "in accordance with the rule of law"

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

The United States wants the situation in South Korea “to be resolved peacefully in accordance with the rule of law,” State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said Tuesday, adding that “certainly, the legislature voting to pass something would be consistent with the law of that country.”

Lawmakers who assembled in South Korea’s parliament unanimously voted to block the president’s martial law decree on Tuesday.

Patel confirmed that the US was “not notified in advance” that South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol would declare martial law.

Patel emphasized that the US government is “continuing to seek to engage our counterparts, both here in the United States, but also in Seoul,” but would not provide further details about the diplomatic engagement.

“What we’re focused on right now is continuing to gather the facts, monitor the situation on the ground, and expect this to be fully resolved peacefully and consistent with the rule of law,” he said at a press briefing.

As for the military in neighboring North Korea, the US is closely monitoring the situation but is not aware of “any force posture changes,” according to Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the US Department of Defense press secretary.

Additionally, Ryder said the martial law has not yet had any impact on US troops stationed in South Korea and that there have also been no force posture changes for the roughly 28,000 US troops in the country.