US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told his South Korean counterpart that Washington was confident in the country's "democratic resilience", AFP reports.

This came during Blinken's first conversation with Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed attempt to impose martial law.

"Blinken spoke with the foreign minister following the deeply disturbing events in South Korea. He welcomed the lifting of martial law, expressed confidence in the country's democratic resilience, and reaffirmed the United States' ironclad commitment to our alliance," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said on the social network X.

A separate statement released by the State Department said Blinken told his opponent that he "expects the democratic process to prevail."

"Secretary Blinken reaffirmed the progress made in the bilateral relationship, including the robust trilateral partnership with Japan that promotes our shared values and the prosperity and stability of the Indo-Pacific region," it said.

Blinken added that "the American people stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of the Republic of Korea and will continue to do so in the face of any provocations or threats to the Alliance."

Yeol declared martial law late on December 3 before being forced to make a U-turn after lawmakers voted to repeal the measure.

Yeol, 63, now faces a vote on impeachment. | BGNES