South Korean leader Yoon Seok-yeol shocked the world on Tuesday morning when he declared “emergency martial law” on the grounds that “destructive anti-national elements” in the opposition were interfering with his policies.
Martial law has not been declared in South Korea since it emerged from military dictatorship in the 1980s.
Yun said, “I will declare martial law to protect the Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, immediately eradicate the unscrupulous pro-North Korean anti-national forces that plunder the freedom and happiness of the people, and protect the free constitutional order.'' “I will.” said He held an emergency press conference at his office in Seoul.
Yun accused It opposes “paralyzing domestic courts by threatening judges and impeaching prosecutors, and attempting to dismiss the Home Secretary, the Chief Broadcasting Regulatory Officer, the Auditor General, and the Minister of Defence.”
Yun also said the opposition's move to cut $2.8 billion from the $483 billion 2025 national budget is a plan to paralyze the government. What the opposition wants is rejection Additional spending for the presidential office, prosecutors, and police requested in Yun's budget.
The president's supporters say one reason for the cuts is to weaken the case against opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who was found guilty last month of violating election laws. In announcing martial law, Yun called the National Assembly, where Lee's Democratic Party holds 170 of the 300 seats, a “hotbed of crime.”
On Monday, the Speaker of Parliament froze the vote on the budget until December 10th.
Yun said on Tuesday that martial law would continue until “anti-national forces and perpetrators of national destruction who have committed evil acts have been eradicated.”
“The declaration of martial law will bring some inconvenience to the good people who have believed in and lived up to the constitutional values of free people, but we will focus on minimizing such inconvenience,” he said. ” he said.
Yun said such inconveniences were necessary to “guarantee the freedom, security, and national sustainability of the people against the actions of anti-national forces aiming to overthrow the regime.”
He promised to “wipe out anti-national forces as soon as possible and normalize the country's operations.'' “believe me.”
South Korea's Ministry of Defense announced that key commanders of all South Korean armed forces met to “strengthen emergency preparedness” and discuss implementation of Yoon's orders.
People gather in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, after President Yoon Seok-yeol declared emergency martial law on December 4, 2024. (JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty)
Naturally, South Korean opposition parties opposed Yoon's declaration of martial law, as did Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon's People's Power Party. Mr. Han issued a statement on Tuesday saying he would “join with the people in opposing the declaration of martial law.”
Mr. Han declared, “The president's declaration of martial law is wrong.''
“There is no reason to declare martial law. We cannot let the military rule this country,” opposition leader Lee said. said.
“President Yoon Seok-yeol has betrayed the people. President Yoon's illegal emergency martial law is invalid. From this moment on, Mr. Yoon is no longer the president of South Korea,” he asserted.
Mr. Lee called on the South Korean military to no longer follow Mr. Yoon's orders.
“Soldiers, the guns and bayonets you have, the power you have comes from the people. The people own this country. It is the people who should obey you, not Yoon Seok-yeol,” he said.
korean media showed Demonstrators try to break into the Capitol, which has been locked down by military orders.
So was Yun himself. dodge He is calling for an independent investigation into several scandals involving his wife, Kim Gun-hee, and party officials. Mr. Yoon and Mr. Kim are accused of interfering in the selection of candidates for the 2022 National Assembly election at the behest of a powerful supporter named Myung Tae-gyun.
Mr. Yoon under Opinion polls show that his approval rating reached 25%, and after a gradual recovery in early November, it fell again last week. His People Power Party has an approval rating of 32%, while the opposition Democratic Party (DP) has an approval rating of 45%.
As the Democratic Party has made clear, the imposition of martial law was not a complete surprise. accused Mr. Yoon appears to be plotting to do just that in September. The Democratic Progressive Party announced that it would impose martial law to prevent Congress from impeaching Yun for abuse of power, sparking a storm of angry denials and counterarguments.
update: Martial law commander Park Ahn-soo declared martial law. statement On Tuesday, it declared that “all political activities, including the National Assembly, local assemblies, political parties, political organizations, rallies and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited.”
“All media and publications will be under the control of the martial law command,” Park added.
Martial law too ordered It asks all medical workers on strike or on leave to “return to duty within 48 hours and work faithfully.” All strike activity was prohibited during martial law. A significant number of medical workers in South Korea On strike From February due to a change in government policy.
Police and military forces have been deployed around South Korea's National Assembly Building, where they are clashing with a large group of angry protesters. Democratic Progressive Party members appear to be resisting efforts by security forces to remove them from the building.
Reuters reported About 70 opposition MPs have gathered inside the building, with more expected to join them. The riot police prevent Neither members of Congress nor members of the public are allowed to enter the facility.
