US Embassy denies it criticized S.Korean president's staff in wake of failed martial law bid

By Anadolu staff

The US Embassy in South Korea has denied that Washington’s envoy to Seoul criticized South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's staff after his failed attempt to impose martial law.

On X, the embassy late Wednesday said they could not share details of the diplomatic conversation but dismissed a claim by a Korean opposition lawmaker as "utterly false."

"While we do not reveal details of diplomatic conversations, allegations made in the media by Rep. Kim Joon-hyung regarding supposed comments by U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg are utterly false," said the embassy.

On Wednesday, Rep. Kim Joon-hyung of the minor opposition Korea Rebuilding Party claimed that Goldberg reported to Washington that he was unable to reach government officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, soon after the Yoon declared martial law on Tuesday night, according to Yonhap News.

The lawmaker added that Goldberg characterized Yoon's officials as people he "cannot stand to deal with."

Kim also claimed that the envoys of five key countries told him that if Yoon remains president, they would boycott all leaders summits with Seoul including next year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, which is set to be hosted by South Korea.

On Thursday, Goldberg met with National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik and reaffirmed the countries’ “strong” ties amid the recent political turmoil.

"I met with National Assembly Speaker @wonsikw to discuss the current situation in the Republic of Korea. We both agreed that the U.S.-ROK Alliance is strong and enduring," Goldberg said on X.

Separately, parliament on Thursday passed a bill, 195-86, seeking a special counsel probe into Yoon over his failed attempt to impose martial law.

The National Assembly also passed two impeachment motions for Justice Minister Park Sung-jae and Cho Ji-ho, head of the Korean National Police Agency, over their alleged role in the imposition of martial law.

Following the impeachment motion, both officials will be suspended from their duties until a Constitutional Court ruling.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid