South Korea’s SEOULAbout 155 minutes after declaring martial law in an unexpected late-night television speech on Tuesday, opposition legislators in the National Assembly reacted defiantly.
As anti-martial-law demonstrators gathered outside the building, South Korea’s parliament swiftly passed a motion calling for Yoon to revoke his decision, with 190 of its 300 members in attendance.
Following the vote, National Assembly Chairman Woo Won-sik declared martial law to be formally abolished and called for the special troops to vacate the National Assembly’s premises and grounds. The soldiers started to file out through one of the gates shortly after that.
Han Dong Hoon, the head of the ruling People Power Party, which Yoon is a member of, expressed remorse for the events of today. “Exercise of military police and other government authority is illegal now that the resolution for the nullification of the martial law has passed.”
However, the Defense Ministry of the nation stated that martial law would not end unless Yoon revoked the directive.
Yoon, whose conservative government came into power in 2022, did not immediately respond. He used the accusation that opposition groups were controlling parliament and harboring North Korean sympathies as an excuse to impose martial law.
On the nation’s YTN news channel, Yoon declared a state of emergency to safeguard the constitutional order founded on freedom and to crush disgraceful pro-North Korean anti-state organizations that are robbing our people of their freedom and happiness. He went on to say that this will shield the nation from the communist armies of North Korea.
He continued, “I will work to minimize these disruptions, even though the imposition of martial law may cause significant inconvenience to the law-abiding citizens who uphold the Republic of Korea’s constitutional values.”
Immediately after his speech, Gen. Park Ahn-soo, the commander of martial law, issued a proclamation.
It stated that all political activity would be prohibited and that the Martial Law Command would have authority over all publications and media.
It further stated that strikes, work stoppages, and meetings that provoke social unrest are prohibited. Additionally, it mandated that all medical personnel report back to work within 48 hours.
According to Article 9 of the Martial Law Act, those who disobey this proclamation risk being arrested, detained, and having their property searched and seized without a warrant.
Martial law has been imposed in South Korea for the first time since 1980.
There have been no reports of tanks or soldiers on the streets in Seoul, the capital, or anywhere else in South Korea, which is home to around 28,500 American troops and is a major ally of the United States in the region.
However, according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, scores of protesters had assembled in front of the National Assembly early in the morning local time, which resulted in altercations with police.
Following the revelation, the value of the Korean won dropped precipitously in relation to the US dollar.
Contact between the Biden Administration and the South Korean government has been verified, and the White House National Security Council stated that it is “monitoring the situation closely.”
In the face of an opposition-controlled parliament, Yoon has found it difficult to advance his agenda, and a number of scandals have caused his support rating to plummet in recent months.
The liberal opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, has been at odds with his People Power Party over the budget for the upcoming year. Additionally, the Democratic Party has advocated for the impeachment of several of the nation’s senior politicians.
According to Reuters, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, stated that martial law would irreversibly destroy the nation.
He declared that the nation would be ruled by tanks, armored personnel carriers, and armed, knife-wielding soldiers.
Freddie Clayton reported from London, and Stella Kim from Seoul.
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