Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) issued a strong rebuke of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s recent attempt to impose martial law, calling it a significant threat to democracy and the U.S.-Korea alliance. In a December 3rd statement, Sherman praised South Korea’s National Assembly for its decisive 190-0 vote to overturn the martial law declaration.
“President Yoon’s surprise declaration of martial law not only harkened back to the martial law imposed by South Korea’s military dictatorship in the 1980s but also threatened the very foundation of South Korea’s democracy by targeting its democratically-elected opposition,” Sherman stated.
The bipartisan vote, which included lawmakers from Yoon’s own party, highlighted a united front in defending democratic values. This rare unanimity underscored the Assembly’s rejection of what Sherman described as an outrageous move that risked destabilizing South Korea’s democratic institutions.
Sherman, who serves as Chair Emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Asia Subcommittee, emphasized the broader implications of Yoon’s actions, pointing to their potential impact on the U.S.-South Korea alliance. “President Yoon’s appalling decision undermined South Korea’s most important defense element – its strategic alliance with the United States,” Sherman warned.
The U.S.-Korea alliance, a cornerstone of East Asian security, is grounded in shared democratic values. According to Sherman, Yoon’s actions threatened to erode this foundation, potentially straining the partnership at a critical time for regional stability.
South Korea’s recent turmoil comes at a time when the nation is striving to maintain its role as a vibrant democracy in Asia. Sherman concluded by urging vigilance to ensure that such a “dark chapter” is never repeated, affirming his commitment to monitoring the situation closely and opposing further threats to South Korea’s democratic system.
As South Korea emerges from this political crisis, the global community will likely be watching how the nation’s leaders rebuild trust and reinforce their commitment to democratic principles. Congressman Sherman’s statement serves as a reminder of the critical role democratic values play in sustaining international alliances and fostering regional stability.
Congressman Brad Sherman was born and raised in Southern California and represents California’s 32nd Congressional District. Born in Los Angeles to Lane Sherman, originally from the Philadelphia area, and Maurice Hyman Sherman, from Indiana, Sherman is of Ukrainian Jewish descent.
Sherman has been serving in the House of Representatives since 1997 and is currently in his fourteenth term in Congress. He serves on two major House Committees as a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Financial Services Committee.
From 2019 to 2023, Sherman chaired the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Investor Protection, Entrepreneurship, and Capital Markets. Previously, he served as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, highlighting his expertise and long-standing interest in Asian affairs.