South Korea’s SEOULFollowing his abrupt declaration of martial law and army mobilization, which plunged his nation into chaos, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol retreated early on Wednesday.
Yoon took this action in response to the nationwide outcry that broke out about 155 minutes after he declared his intention to take over in a late-night television speech on Tuesday.
While anti-martial-law demonstrators gathered outside the National Assembly building, members of South Korea’s parliament hurried to the building and, with 190 of its 300 members present, swiftly passed a motion calling on Yoon to revoke his decision.
In a national television broadcast, Yoon declared, “I have accepted the decision made by the National Assembly to dissolve and lift the martial law.”
It marked the sudden end of a standoff that started when parliament passed a resolution declaring martial law to be officially abolished, publicly defying Yoon.
Following the vote, Woo Won-sik, the chairman of the National Assembly, insisted that the special forces vacate the legislative building 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 administration came to power in 2022, did not immediately respond for several hours. Yoon 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.”
Soon after Yoon’s 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.
Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel of the U.S. State Department claimed the agency had not been informed in advance that Yoon was going to impose martial law.
The Biden administration had communicated with the South Korean government and was keeping a close eye on the situation, according to earlier confirmation from the White House National Security Council.
The circumstances are changing, Before Yoon declared martial law to be lifted, U.S. ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg posted on X.
Lee Jae-myung, the head of the South Korean Democratic Party, referred to Yoon’s declaration of martial law as unlawful and unconstitutional after he had to scale a barrier to enter the National Assembly building.
Martial law was imposed in South Korea for the first time since 1980.
The capital, Seoul, and other parts of South Korea, which is home to around 28,500 American troops and is a major ally of the United States in the region, did not report seeing tanks or soldiers on the streets.
Before Yoon retreated, Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder stated that there has been virtually no impact on U.S. soldiers thus far.
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 Yoon’s declaration of martial law, the value of the Korean won plummeted in relation to the US dollar.
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.
Nonetheless, political analysts in South Korea claimed Yoon’s sudden and dramatic power grab was surprising.
Edward Howell, the Korean Foundation Fellow at Chatham House, a British think tank that specializes on international issues, described the scenario as truly remarkable and unexpected. President Yoon seems to have chosen the most drastic course of action first.
Freddie Clayton reported from London, and Stella Kim from Seoul.
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