Russia is following events in South Korea with concern after the president briefly declared martial law, but there are no threats to Russian citizens there, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.

A night of political upheaval in South Korea has upended stability in a key democratic US ally – sending shock waves through the region and Washington at a moment of acute global tension.

Seoul's withdrawal from the nascent trilateral security alliance with the U.S. and Japan could strengthen China's hand in the region.

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea promised to convene his cabinet and lift the emergency declaration of martial law that he imposed yesterday. His decision came hours after the National Assembly voted to end the order. Here’s the latest.

At his confirmation hearing three months ago, South Korea's defence minister Kim Yong-hyun rejected accusations from the opposition that he wanted to impose martial law. It was, the conservative hardliner said,