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South Korea says martial law attempt undercut political momentum with Trump

Seoul had strong communication channels with Trump's campaign, but martial law order disrupted political momentum between the two

South Korea says martial law attempt undercut political momentum with Trump

South Korean flag hangs on a pole outside the gate of the National Assembly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, December 4, 2024.

Reuters

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said on Wednesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived bid to impose martial law had created some limitations communicating with the team of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and undercut both sides' political momentum.

At a rare joint news conference for foreign media, Cho and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok sought to reassure Seoul's allies and calm market jitters since the martial law attempt that shocked the nation and triggered the biggest political crisis in decades.

Cho said Seoul had built a network and communication channels with Trump's campaign that were "stronger than those of any other country", but the martial law order undermined "the political momentum" between the two sides.

"It is true that there have been some disruptions with communication over the past two weeks due to this situation," Cho said.

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