UPDATES WITH MORE REMARKS BY NATO CHIEF
By Ahmet Gencturk
ATHENS (AA) - NATO closely monitors developments in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol failed in his attempt to impose martial and now faces impeachment, the alliance chief said on Wednesday.
“Republic of Korea is an important partner to NATO, and therefore we are monitoring developments closely of what is happening now in Seoul and in the wider South Korea,” Mark Rutte told the press after a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels.
"I think that the announcement of the end of martial law indicates South Korea's ongoing commitment to the rule of law," he added.
Responding to the question whether the latest developments in Seoul would affect its relations with NATO, Rutte said: “South Korea is a strong supporter of Ukraine, and I expect it will remain so, and our partnership with Seoul has deepened as global threats have grown over the last couple of years, and we commend the Republic of Korea for its significant political and practical supports to Ukraine.”
“The relationship between NATO and South Korea is ironclad,” he asserted.
President Yoon late Tuesday declared martial law in the country after accusing the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of anti-state activities. The move, however, was quickly overturned by parliament.
Yoon imposed army rule at 10.25 p.m. Tuesday (1325GMT) but announced lifting it at 4:27 a.m. Wednesday, (1927GMT, Tuesday). As many as 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament had voted down his move, making it obligatory for him to comply with their motion.
A Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo passed the resolution after Yoon backtracked from his decision to impose martial law.
- Ukraine war
Speaking of the Ukraine war, Rutte drew attention to the increasingly extensive alliance of Russia with North Korea, China and Iran, and said: "So Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine threatens us all. And that is why we will continue to stand together, Europe and North America, alongside our international partners, to keep our one billion people safe."
In response to the Russian and Chinese efforts to destabilize our countries through acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, and energy blackmail, a set of measures was taken, he added.
"These include enhanced intelligence exchange, more exercises, better protection of critical infrastructure, improved cyber defense, and tougher action against Russia’s shadow fleet of oil exporting ships. And we will work closely together with the EU on these issues," Rutte explained.
"Ukraine is facing relentless bombardment targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure. And Russia is making gains along the frontline, though at a high cost. This could be Ukraine’s most difficult winter since 2022."
Against this background, he said: "We must do more than just keep Ukraine in the fight. We must provide enough support to change the trajectory of this conflict once and for all."