December 3rd 2024.
Early this morning, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced that he would soon be lifting the martial law he had imposed during a night of intense political drama. Troops had surrounded the parliament building and lawmakers had voted against military rule, causing tensions to rise. President Yoon assured the public that the military personnel had been withdrawn and the formal lifting of martial law would take place after a Cabinet meeting, as soon as all members arrived.
Later that night, after midnight on Wednesday, the National Assembly voted to lift the declaration. The Assembly Speaker, Woo Won Shik, declared the martial law as "invalid" and promised that the lawmakers would protect democracy alongside the people. As a result, police and military personnel were seen leaving the Assembly's grounds. The leader of the liberal Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung, stated that their party's lawmakers would remain in the main hall of the Assembly until President Yoon lifted his order.
Meanwhile, in Washington, the White House expressed serious concern over the events in Seoul. A spokesperson for the National Security Council noted that President Joe Biden's administration had not been informed of the martial law announcement beforehand, but they were in contact with the South Korean government. In front of the Assembly, hundreds of protesters gathered, holding up banners and calling for President Yoon's impeachment. There were some scuffles between protesters and troops, but no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. However, one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building.
One woman even tried to pull a rifle away from a soldier, yelling, "Aren't you embarrassed!" At a televised news conference, Lee stated, "Democratic Party lawmakers, including myself and many others, will protect our country's democracy, future, public safety, and properties with our own lives." The sudden move by President Yoon brought back memories of an era of authoritarian leaders that the country had not seen since the 1980s. It was immediately denounced by the opposition and even the leader of Yoon's own conservative party.
Following Yoon's announcement, the South Korean military declared that parliamentary and other political gatherings that could cause "social confusion" would be suspended, according to the country's Yonhap news agency. They also stated that the striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, warning that anyone who violated the decree could be arrested without a warrant. However, it was unclear if South Korea was currently in a state that warranted martial law, as the country's constitution only allows it in situations of war or national emergency.
When martial law is declared, certain measures can be taken to restrict the freedom of press, assembly, and other rights, as well as the power of courts. According to the constitution, the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote. Shortly after the declaration, the parliament speaker called for an emergency meeting of all lawmakers at the National Assembly. He also urged military and law enforcement personnel to remain calm and hold their positions.
All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law, and television footage showed soldiers leaving the Assembly site after the vote. Hours earlier, TV showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly, while helmeted soldiers carrying rifles stood in front of the building to restrict entrance. An Associated Press photographer even saw three helicopters, likely from the military, landing inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three more circled above.
The leader of President Yoon's conservative People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, called the decision to impose martial law "wrong" and promised to "stop it with the people". Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, referred to Yoon's announcement as "illegal and unconstitutional". During his televised speech, Yoon claimed that martial law would help "rebuild and protect" the country from "falling into the depths of national ruin". He also promised to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order".
"I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country," he declared, while asking the people to have faith in him and tolerate "some inconveniences". Yoon, whose approval rating has dropped in recent months, has faced challenges in pushing his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. His party has been at odds with the liberal opposition over next year's budget bill, and the opposition has also attempted to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations.
Yoon has also rejected calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, which has drawn criticism from his political rivals. The Democratic Party reportedly called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Yoon's announcement. This was the first time martial law had been declared in South Korea since the country's democratization in 1987. The last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee.
To stay up-to-date on all the latest news, sports, politics, and weather, download the 9NEWS app on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
