president of korea Yoon Seok-yeolOn Wednesday morning, the government lifted martial law he had imposed during a night of tense political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule.
Prime Minister Yoon said the government withdrew its military forces following a bipartisan National Assembly vote rejecting martial law, a measure that was officially lifted at about 4:30 a.m. at a cabinet meeting. Martial law was in effect for a total of 6 hours.
South Korea’s main opposition party on Wednesday called for Prosecutor General Yoon to resign immediately or face impeachment. Representative Yoon did not publicly respond to the opposition party’s demands. However, the Blue House announced that Yoon’s senior aide and the secretary’s office proposed collective resignation, and President Yoon also postponed his official schedule on Wednesday morning.
In the capital, it was like any other clear, cold December morning, except for tourists and residents moving around, the sounds of traffic and construction, and crowds of police holding shields.
The liberal opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the 300-seat National Assembly, announced Wednesday that it has decided to take impeachment action if lawmakers do not call for Rep. Yoon’s immediate resignation.
The Democratic Party said in a statement, “President Yoon Seok-yeol’s declaration of martial law is a clear violation of the Constitution,” and “it does not meet any of the requirements for declaration.” “His declaration of martial law was originally invalid and a gross violation of the Constitution. It was a gross act of insurrection and provides perfect grounds for impeachment.”
To impeach him, the support of two-thirds of the National Assembly members, or 200 out of 300 National Assembly members, is needed. The Democratic Party and other opposition parties combined have 192 seats.
Why was martial law declared in South Korea?
Late Tuesday, Yoon declared martial law out of frustration with the opposition party, pledging to eliminate “anti-state” elements as he fights against opponents who take over the National Assembly and accuse him of sympathizing with communists. north korea.
In a televised speech, Yun said martial law would help the country “rebuild and protect itself from falling into a quagmire.” He said, “We will eradicate pro-North Korea forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.”
He said, “I will liquidate anti-state forces as soon as possible and normalize the country,” and asked the people to trust him and “accept some inconvenience.”
According to the South Korean Constitution, the president can declare martial law in “states of war, war-like situations, or other equivalent national emergencies” that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It is questionable whether Korea is currently in this state.
If martial law is declared, ‘special measures’ may be taken to limit freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the powers of the courts.
The Constitution also states that when the National Assembly requests the lifting of martial law with a majority vote, the president must carry out the request.
AP Photo/Ahn Young-jun
A few hours later, the National Assembly voted to lift the declaration, and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik declared, “Members of the National Assembly will protect democracy together with the people.” The BBC reported that this resolution was passed with 190 out of 300 ruling and opposition party members present and all in favor.
Police and soldiers were seen leaving the National Assembly premises after Rep. Woo demanded withdrawal. Lee Jae-myeong, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, which holds a majority of 300 seats in the National Assembly, said that party lawmakers will remain in the main hall of the National Assembly until Rep. Yoon’s decision is officially lifted.
Representative Lee told reporters, “I and other Democratic Party members will protect our country’s democracy and future, the safety of the people, and our lives and property with our lives.”
While Rep. Yoon announced plans to lift martial law, he continued to criticize the National Assembly’s attempts to impeach key government figures and high-ranking prosecutors. He said lawmakers had engaged in “immoral legislative and budget manipulation practices that paralyzed the functioning of the state.”
Hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the National Assembly, waving banners and demanding the impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon. Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the parliamentary vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the parliament building. One woman shouted “Shame on you!” and tried but failed to snatch the rifle from one of the soldiers.
The president’s surprising move brought back an era of authoritarian leaders not seen in Korea since the 1980s, and was immediately criticized by the opposition party and Conservative Party leader Yoon.
Following Minister Yoon’s announcement, the South Korean military declared it would suspend the National Assembly and other political gatherings that could cause “social chaos,” according to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency.
Reuters/Hongji Kim
The military also said South Korea’s striking doctors must return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap News reported. Thousands of doctors have been on strike for months over government plans to increase the number of students in medical schools. Military authorities said anyone who violates this ordinance can be arrested without a warrant.
Immediately after the declaration, the Speaker of the National Assembly issued an emergency statement on his YouTube channel calling for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly, where the opposition Democratic Party holds the majority. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and stand their ground.”
All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported lifting martial law. Television footage showed soldiers stationed at the Capitol leaving the site after the vote.
A few hours ago, TV showed police blocking the entrance to the National Assembly and soldiers wearing helmets holding rifles restricting access to the National Assembly building. The BBC reported that dozens of police patrol cars and riot police buses gathered.
“Please open the door. Your job is to protect the National Assembly. Why are you standing still while the members of the National Assembly are trampled?” A middle-aged man shouted at the police officers guarding the door.
An Associated Press photographer saw three helicopters, believed to be from the military, landing inside the parliament grounds, with two or three helicopters circling above the site.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the conservative People Power Party led by Rep. Yoon, said the decision to declare martial law was “wrong” and pledged, “We will stop it together with the people.” The opposition leader, who narrowly lost to candidate Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, called candidate Yoon’s announcement “illegal and unconstitutional.”
A White House National Security Council (NSC) spokesperson told CBS News that the Biden administration had not been notified in advance of the martial law declaration, but was in contact with the South Korean government and was “closely monitoring the situation.”
“We are seriously concerned about what is happening in South Korea,” the spokesperson said, referring to the country by its official name, the Republic of Korea.
A White House official told CBS News that President Biden is traveling in the United States. AngolaI have been briefed on the situation.
The United States has about 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea to protect the country from its nuclear-armed neighbor North Korea. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no impact on U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.
“We are watching the latest developments in South Korea with serious concern,” said U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell. “We have every hope and expectation that all political disputes will be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.”
Rep. Yoon, whose approval ratings have fallen in recent months, has struggled to advance his agenda against the opposition-controlled National Assembly since taking office in 2022.
The ruling party faced difficulties with the progressive opposition party over next year’s budget. The opposition party also attempted to pass impeachment bills against three prosecutors, including the head of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, in what conservatives called revenge for the criminal investigation into Lee Myung-bak, who is seen as a Republican darling. Opinion poll results for the next presidential election in 2027.
Rep. Yoon received a swift and strong rebuke from political rivals for dismissing calls for an independent investigation into the scandal involving his wife and high-ranking government officials. It is reported that the Democratic Party convened an emergency meeting of lawmakers following Rep. Yoon’s announcement.
Representative Yoon’s martial law is the first martial law declared since democratization in 1987. The last martial law in our country was in October 1979.
Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.
