Swedish PM's visit to Korea postponed after martial law turmoil
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in central Seoul. Korea Times file
A planned visit to Korea by Sweden's prime minister and other ministers has been postponed, diplomatic sources said Wednesday, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and its subsequent lifting.
The top Swedish delegation, led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, was scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Thursday, but the visit has been postponed, sources said. The new date has yet to be decided.
During the visit, Kristersson was scheduled to hold talks with Yoon and meet with other key Seoul officials.
"With recent developments, we have concluded that it is better to travel to the Republic of Korea in the future," the Swedish government said in a statement released through its embassy in Seoul, referring to Korea by its official name.
"As in all democracies, political differences are best solved through democratic processes and in accordance with the rule of law. In that spirit, the decision to lift martial law is a welcome step," it added.
A group of Japanese lawmakers decided to cancel a trip by former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, which had been set for later this month, amid the martial law chaos, Japan's Kyodo News agency reported.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's envisioned visit next week to Korea also became uncertain, according to Reuters. Media reports have said that Austin was planning a trip for a trilateral meeting involving his counterparts from Korea and Japan.
A Pentagon spokesperson said earlier that the U.S. has put off nuclear deterrence talks and a related exercise that was originally set to take place in Washington next week.
Other planned diplomatic trips by Seoul officials have also been canceled or shortened.
First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun will return home later in the day, cutting short his two-nation tour to Spain and Germany.
Second Vice Foreign Minister Kang In-sun has also canceled her trip to the United Arab Emirates, where she was scheduled to participate in nuclear energy talks.
"We have instructed all officials at the Seoul headquarters and our diplomatic missions overseas to remain unaffected by domestic political situations and faithfully carry out their duties," a foreign ministry official told reporters.
"We will continue to cooperate and manage efforts to ensure that diplomatic activities, including collaboration with major countries and the international community, proceed without disruptions. (Yonhap)