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South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol declared “emergency martial law.” (Kim Hong-Ji/Pool Photo via AP, File) After martial law was imposed, the National Assembly acted quickly, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik declaring martial law “invalid” and that lawmakers would “defend democracy with the people.” Martial law lasted for about six hours in total. Woo praised the military for quickly withdrawing from the National Assembly after the vote. “Although we have unpleasant memories of the military coup, our citizens have certainly seen today’s events and the maturity of our military,” Woo said. In announcing plans to lift martial law, Yoon Seok-yeol went on to criticize Congress for trying to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors. He said lawmakers were “unscrupulously manipulating legislation and the budget to paralyze the functions of the country.” Earlier in Washington, the White House said the United States was “gravely concerned” about the events in Seoul. A spokesman for the National Security Council said President Biden’s administration had not been notified of the martial law in advance and was in contact with the South Korean government. Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the parliament, waving banners calling for the impeachment of Yoon Young-chul. Some protesters clashed with troops before lawmakers voted, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops tried to enter the parliament building. A woman tried unsuccessfully to grab a rifle from a soldier, shouting “Aren’t you embarrassed!”
People gather in front of the National Assembly in Seoul to demand that South Korean President Yun Seok-yeol step down. (AP) “Members of the Democratic Party, including myself, will defend the country’s democracy and future, as well as public safety, life and property with our lives,” Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament, told a news conference. The president’s surprising move, reminiscent of an era of authoritarian rule not seen in South Korea since the 1980s, was immediately condemned by the opposition and leaders of Yun’s conservative party. Following Yun’s announcement, South Korea’s military announced it would suspend parliamentary and other political gatherings that could cause “social chaos,” according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.
Soldiers wait to board buses as they leave parliament after lawmakers voted to lift martial law. (Bloomberg) The military also said the country’s striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap News Agency said. Thousands of doctors have been on strike for months over government plans to expand the number of medical school students. The military said anyone violating the decree could be arrested without a warrant. Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law in “wartime, war-like situations or other similar national emergencies” that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It is questionable whether South Korea is currently in such a state. After martial law is declared, “special measures” can be taken to restrict freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of the courts.
Police stand guard in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, as people try to enter the National Assembly, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee ​​Jin-man) The Constitution also states that when the National Assembly votes by a majority to lift martial law, the president must comply. Shortly after martial law was declared, the speaker of the National Assembly issued an emergency statement on his YouTube channel, calling on all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and stand firm at their posts.” All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported lifting martial law. Television footage showed that soldiers stationed at the National Assembly left the scene after the vote. Hours earlier, television showed police blocking the entrance to the National Assembly, with helmeted soldiers holding rifles standing in front of the building to restrict people from entering. AP photographers saw at least three helicopters landed inside the National Assembly, possibly military helicopters, and two or three more hovering over the scene. Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon Young-chul’s conservative People Power Party, called the decision to impose martial law “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people.” Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called Yoon’s statement “illegal and unconstitutional.” Yoon said in a televised address that martial law would help “rebuild and protect” the country and avoid “falling into the abyss of national destruction.” He said he would “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and maintain the constitutional democratic order.” “I will eliminate anti-state forces as soon as possible and restore the country to normal,” he said, while asking the public to trust him and tolerate “some inconveniences.” Yoon’s approval rating has fallen in recent months and he has struggled to push his agenda in the opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.
People watch a televised briefing by South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol broadcast on a TV screen at a bus terminal in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/An Young-joon) Yoon’s party is in a stalemate with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also tried to pass a motion to impeach three senior prosecutors, including the chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, a move conservatives say is retaliation for their criminal investigation into Lee Jae-yong, who polls show is a favorite candidate for the next presidential election in 2027. Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are robbing our citizens of their freedom and happiness” in his televised speech, but he did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, a departure from the policy of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Yoon also rejected calls for an independent investigation into scandals involving his wife and senior officials, a move that quickly drew strong condemnation from his political opponents. The Democratic Party reportedly called an emergency meeting of lawmakers after Yoon’s declaration of martial law. Yoon’s move was the first time South Korea has declared martial law since democratization in 1987. South Korea last declared martial law in October 1979, when former military dictator Park Chung-hee was assassinated. Sydney Saylor, director of Korea studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, believes Yoon’s move is symbolic and shows his frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament. Saylor said “he has nothing to lose,” likening Yoon’s move to a Hail Mary pass in American football, which has little chance of success. Saylor said Yoon could now face impeachment, which was also possible before he made this bold move. Natalia Slavny, a research analyst at 38 North, the Stimson Center’s website focused on South Korea, said Yoon’s imposition of martial law was “a serious step backward for democracy” and was followed by a “worrying trend of abuse” since he took office in 2022. South Korea has a “long history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments,” Slavny said, citing the example of former President Park Geun-hye, South Korea’s first female president who was ousted and jailed in 2017 for bribery and other crimes.