U.S. Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, no longer plans to travel to South Korea, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday.
This follows South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched attempt this week to impose martial law.
One official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said planning had been underway for a trip in the near term but it was determined now was not the appropriate time.
The official said South Korea had been consulted regarding the change in travel plans.
Austin will leave office by Jan. 20, when President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law late on Tuesday sought to consolidate power, ban political activity and censor the media.
It sparked outrage in the streets and concern among South Korea’s international allies.
South Korea’s Defence Minister, who recommended the move, has resigned.
Fighting for his political future, Yoon accepted Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun’s resignation on Thursday and nominated his ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Choi Byung-hyuk, as his replacement.
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Kim had recommended Yoon declare martial law on Tuesday, according to the Interior Minister, a senior military official and the opposition’s filing to impeach Yoon.
The United States has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea as a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War.
U.S. Forces-Korea Commander, General Paul LaCamera, warned American troops in a statement on Wednesday to stay vigilant and avoid areas with protests.
He said troops should tell their superiors about travel plans in case “something unexpected” happens.
Austin’s trip to South Korea would have come at an important geopolitical moment in the region.
U.S. and South Korean officials say more than 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia’s Kursk region to take part in pushing back Ukrainian forces.
North Korean state media said Kim Jong Un met Russia’s Defense Minister last month and pledged to expand ties with Moscow in all areas.
These include military affairs, under the comprehensive strategic partnership he signed with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June. The partnership includes a mutual defence agreement. (Reuters)
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