South Korean Lawmakers Condemn U.S. Military Action in Venezuela, Citing International Law Violations

South Korean Lawmakers Issue Strong Condemnation

On January 6, 2026, a significant number of South Korean legislators, specifically 68 members of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), issued a joint statement expressing 'deep concern' over recent U.S. military operations in Venezuela. The lawmakers, led by Representatives Kang Jun-hyeon and Ko Min-jung, criticized the U.S. actions as a clear breach of international law and the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.

The condemnation follows a large-scale U.S. military strike on January 3, 2026, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The U.S. administration, under Donald Trump, justified the operation as a 'law enforcement' effort, citing drug trafficking and terrorism charges against Maduro.

Violations of International Law and Sovereignty

The DPK lawmakers' statement, titled 'Statement of Concern Regarding the Venezuela Situation and Urging Compliance with International Norms,' highlighted several critical points regarding the U.S. intervention:

• The use of force without international legal procedures seriously threatens international peace and stability.
• The operation contained 'serious flaws' in light of the UN Charter's Article 2(4), which prohibits the use of force, and Article 2(7), which upholds non-interference in internal affairs.
• The 'forced abduction' of a head of state within their own territory, without going through the host country's judicial procedures, violates the principle of national sovereignty.
• While acknowledging the Maduro regime's 'lack of democratic legitimacy and human rights abuses,' the lawmakers stressed that such issues 'cannot justify unilateral military operations against a sovereign state.'

International law experts and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have echoed these concerns, with the OHCHR stating that the U.S. operation violated a 'fundamental principle of international law' and constituted a 'crime of aggression.'

Precedent and Regional Implications

The South Korean lawmakers expressed significant apprehension that the U.S. action could establish a 'dangerous precedent' for similar military interventions globally. They warned that if the perception spreads that a major power can unilaterally infringe upon another country's sovereignty, it could lead to widespread instability in the international order.

Furthermore, the DPK members noted the potential implications for South Korea itself, particularly concerning the Northeast Asian situation and the Korean Peninsula, given the country's alliance with the United States. They urged the South Korean government to engage in diplomatic efforts that uphold international law and the values of the UN Charter.

In contrast to the lawmakers' strong stance, the official response from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs was more measured, emphasizing diplomacy and stability without directly condemning the U.S. actions, a position seen as reflecting considerations for the ROK-U.S. alliance.