Established for the first time in the country in more than 40 years, the proclamation of the martial law in South Korea has caused concern in many countries. What exactly happened in the last few hours?
During a nightly televised speech, the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol proclaimed on Tuesday the martial law in South Koreaaccusing the opposition of paralyzing the government.
A six-point decree from the new martial law commander, army chief and general Park An-suquickly followed, banning political activities and parties, “false propaganda”, strikes and “rallies that incite social unrest”.
The decree also places all media outlets under martial law and orders all medical personnel, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours.
Mr. Yoon said he declared martial law “to protect the South Korea liberalization of the threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate elements hostile to the State”.
Although unexpected, this announcement comes against the backdrop of a battle with the main opposition party, the Democratic Partyon next year’s draft budget.
Opposition MPs approved a significantly reduced budget program last week through a committee.
The South Korean president accused opposition politicians of cutting “all budgets essential to the nation’s primary functions.”
“The use of martial law “It almost seems like a gesture of desperation to try to get out of this, both politically and in terms of general policy, but it’s really poorly played on both fronts,” said Alan Yu, a former American diplomat in Asia who currently works at the Center for American Progress, judging that the Korean president is “a deeply unpopular leader”.
Helicopters landed on the roof of the Parliament in Seoul.
After being briefly prevented by soldiers, some 190 deputies managed to enter theAssembly. They voted unanimously in favor of a motion blocking the application of martial law and calling for its lifting.
Responding to South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung’s call, hundreds of people flocked to Parliament, chanting “Stop Yoon Suk Yeol.”
South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party has demanded that Mr. Yoon resign, accusing him of “insurrection.”
The largest inter-union called for a “general strike” until Mr. Yoon’s resignation, because of this “irrational and undemocratic measure”.
Yoon Suk Yeol’s party, the People Power Party, called his attempt to impose martial law “tragic” and called for those involved to be held accountable.
On the market side, the South Korean won skidded on Tuesday after the proclamation of martial law, which plunged the country into uncertainty.
Just hours after declaring it, Yoon Suk Yeol finally declared that martial law would be lifted and that the troops deployed in Seoul would withdraw.
“There was a request from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we proceeded with the withdrawal of the soldiers who had been deployed for martial law operations,” the president declared in a new televised intervention .
“We will grant the request of the National Assembly and lift martial law during a government meeting,” he added.
Yoon Seok Yeol’s cabinet then approved the motion to lift the state of emergency, Yonhap News Agency reported.
According to South Korea’s constitution, the parliamentary vote to lift martial law must be respected.
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