This is the biggest confusion currently reigning in South Korea. President Yoon Suk Yeol, in power since his election in March 2022, declared martial law on Tuesday, December 3, affirming that this measure was necessary to protect the country from “North Korean communist forces”. A decision immediately contested by a vote by the National Assembly, before which demonstrators gathered at the call of the opposition.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are destroying the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the 'free constitutional order'he indicated.
He notably cited a motion presented this week by the Democratic Party, the majority opposition party in Parliament, aimed at dismissing some of the country's top prosecutors and its rejection of a government budget proposal. He did not specify in his speech what specific measures would be put in place to enforce martial law.
The Democratic Party, for its part, called on its deputies to go to Parliament, reported the South Korean news agency Yonhap. The Minister of Defense ordered: a meeting of top commanders and called for increased vigilance “, indicated the ministry.
An “inevitable” decision
« I'm watching the news live on television and they say the army is movingmaybe », Testifies a resident of Seoul. “ It is really surprising, the political parties are opposed to the establishment of martial law which nevertheless appears to be constitutional but which opens up an uncertain future, he continues, we are really in shock ».
For a European journalist who has lived there for more than twenty years, the question is whether he “ Is this a ploy to avoid impeachment proceedings against President Yoon, or are there other hidden reasons? » he asks. “ Who knows what regime we will wake up under tomorrow? ».
President Yoon, considered a sanguine “go-to-war”, accused opposition elected officials of cutting “all budgets essential to the primary functions of the nation which are the fight against drug-related crimes and the maintenance of public security (…) transforming the country into a drug paradise and a place of chaos for security public ».
He went on to describe the opposition, which holds a majority in Parliament, as “forces hostile to the state intending to overthrow the regime”. He assured that his decision was ” inevitable “. “I will restore normalcy in the country, getting rid of these forces hostile to the state as soon as possible”added the South Korean president.
Political activities prohibited
A message from the Martial Law Command broadcast overnight, Seoul time, proclaims that “all political activities, including the functioning of the National Assembly and local councils, political parties are prohibited”. He adds that “all media and publications are subject to the control of the martial law command”.
Strikes or “gatherings inciting social unrest are prohibited”. All the “doctors and medical staff must return to their posts, violators will be punished in accordance with martial law”. And concludes: “Any violator of this proclamation shall be subject to arrest, detention, searches and seizures without warrant in accordance with Article 9 of the same martial law”.
