Former US Ambassador to Korea: "Martial Law Was a Huge Mistake... Dissatisfied with Korean Foreign Ministry's Phone Explanation"

Goldberg Reveals in Video Interview
Says “Constitutional Procedures Are Being Followed” in Korean Political Situation

Former U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg described President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law on December 3 last year as "a tremendous mistake and an undemocratic act."

Goldberg, who was appointed ambassador to Korea in July 2022 and stepped down last month, reflected on the situation during a video interview with Yonhap News on the 31st (local time), saying, "It was shocking that such a thing could happen in a country where democracy is established."

Additionally, Goldberg stated, "The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained over the phone, but it was not at all satisfactory," revealing that there were difficulties in communication with Korean officials after the martial law declaration.

Philip Goldberg, Former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, Yonhap News Agency

He explained, "I was able to get in touch with someone from the presidential office, but frankly, the information he had was only at the level of what I knew," adding, "That night was chaotic, and many ministers and other government officials did not know what was happening."

Regarding the current political situation in Korea, Goldberg said, "I believe Koreans, especially the political circles, are following constitutional procedures through the National Assembly and the courts," and assessed, "There may be political disagreements, but in most cases, constitutional and legal procedures are being observed."

Goldberg also expressed his views on the Trump administration's North Korea policy. He reaffirmed the U.S.'s existing principle by stating, "Denuclearization is the best path."

Regarding former U.S. President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth referring to North Korea as a "nuclear-armed state," he said, "The longstanding U.S. policy is to pursue denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, especially North Korea," and added, "The denuclearization policy is important and, I believe, a nearly unanimous view that helps maintain the ROK-U.S. alliance and rally other countries around the world."

However, Goldberg emphasized, "North Korea-U.S. talks must be conducted in dialogue and coordination with the Korean government."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.