Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Islamabad (News International / Pakistan New - DW News - 04 December 2024) South Korea's president has ordered martial law, but lawmakers have united against it and the president has withdrawn the surprise move.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol agreed to end the unprecedented martial law that had been in effect for several hours early Wednesday morning, after the opposition-controlled parliament held an emergency session late at night and voted unanimously against his move.
The martial law was suddenly announced at around 11pm on Tuesday night amid chaos.
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President Yoon said in a televised address, "Just a moment ago, the National Assembly requested the lifting of the state of emergency and we have withdrawn the military, which was deployed for martial law operations.
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He added, "We will accept the National Assembly's request and lift martial law through a cabinet meeting."
President Yoon had surprised the country by declaring martial law just hours earlier. He accused the opposition of paralyzing the government and sympathizing with North Korea.
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President Yoon had said about the justification for imposing martial law, "To protect a free-thinking South Korea from the threats posed by North Korean communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements.
.... I hereby declare emergency martial law."
Moments after his announcement, police were on the scene outside the National Assembly in the capital Seoul, while a helicopter was seen landing on the roof of the chamber and special forces troops were reported to have entered the building.
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However, thousands of protesters also took to the streets demanding the president’s arrest, while lawmakers clashed with police and soldiers to enter the National Assembly and vote against martial law.
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Opposition votes to end martial law
Inside the chamber, parliamentary staff set up brackets to prevent soldiers from obstructing the movement or disrupting the session, and then a resolution against martial law was unanimously passed.
"Out of the 190 present, 190 members voted in favor of this resolution, and I declare that the resolution calling for the lifting of the emergency martial law has been passed," said House Speaker Woo Won-sik.
"The South Korean constitution clearly states that martial law must be lifted when a majority in parliament demands it.
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Demonstrators who clashed with police outside parliament cheered the announcement, chanting "We have won!"
President Yoon then announced that he would comply with the demand and lift martial law as soon as he could convene his cabinet meeting.
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'Illegal and unconstitutional'
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who lost to Yoon in the last presidential election, said the imposition of martial law was "illegal and unconstitutional."
Han Dong-hoon, who served in Yoon's administration, called the decision "wrong" and vowed to "work with the people to stop it."
In Washington, a White House spokesman said: "We are relieved that President Yoon has changed his mind about declaring martial law. Democracy is the foundation of the US-South Korea alliance and we will continue to monitor the situation."
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The US National Security Council had earlier said Washington had not been informed of the move to declare martial law, while US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell expressed "grave concern."
About 30,000 US troops are stationed in South Korea to guard against its northern neighbour.
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What did the martial law decree say?
The document declaring martial law said it was doing so “to protect liberal democracy” and “to protect the people.”
It outlined six basic points and said that those who violated them could be searched, arrested, and detained without a warrant.
It banned all political activity, from parliament to local councils, and even public demonstrations.
It said that any action “that denies or attempts to overthrow the liberal democratic system is prohibited, and fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda are prohibited.”
P. Z./J. A. (AP, Reuters, AFP)
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