Hundreds of people gathered outside the South Korean parliament to protest President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law in an unexpected late-night televised speech. “Open the gate, please. Your job is to protect the National Assembly. Why are you standing there watching while MPs are trampled?” a middle-aged man shouted at a group of policemen guarding the gate. Shortly before, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung had called on people to gather in front of parliament to protest, denouncing the new martial law as “illegal”.
The speaker of the South Korean Parliament reported that the military is leaving the legislative building in Seoul.
South Korea’s military said it would “enforce martial law until it is lifted by the president.” The local TV reported it.
Helicopters land on Parliament in South Korea
Yoon Suk Yeol stated that the measure is necessary to protect the country from “communist forces”. “To safeguard a liberal South Korea from threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements… I hereby declare emergency martial law,” he said.
Chaotic scenes and clashes occurred in front of parliament after police prevented MPs from entering the National Assembly building. This was reported by the international media including the BBC. When the police tried to close the main gate, some citizens tried to enter amid shouting and tense moments, with officers using shields to block people, Yonhap writes. Helicopters landed on the roof of Parliament as shown on live TV.
The South Korean parliament unanimously approved the rejection of martial law. The National Assembly, in plenary session, approved a resolution calling for its abolition. All 190 deputies present voted in favor. This was announced by the Yonhap agency.
++ South Korea, majority and opposition against martial law ++
The president accused the opposition of “anti-state” activities. In his unexpected late evening TV message to the nation, Yoon said the emergency martial law was a necessary step to protect the country from “communist forces” during parliamentary disputes over a budget proposal. “Without regard for the livelihood of the people, the opposition party has paralyzed the government only for the sake of impeachment, special investigations and to protect their leader from justice,” he added.
Yoon furthered his accusations by labeling the opposition, which holds control of the 300-seat single-chamber parliament, as “anti-state forces intent on overthrowing” democratic structures, calling the decision on martial law “inevitable” to protect the nation . “I will bring the country back to normality by getting rid of the anti-state forces as soon as possible,” Yoon threatened in his televised address.
US, ‘serious concern for South Korea’
The US has a “grave concern” for South Korea after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and wants a solution that follows “the rule of law”: Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said. “Our alliance with South Korea is ironclad and remains unchanged.” This was stated by the deputy spokesperson of the State Department Vedant Patel. “We hope that everything will be resolved peacefully,” he added. The United States said it had received no warning from South Korea that President Yoon Suk Yeol would declare martial law in a country that is one of Washington’s closest allies. “The United States was not notified in advance of this announcement. We are gravely concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground,” reads a statement from the White House National Security Council. The United States then hopes that “the Parliament’s vote against martial law in South Korea is respected.” This was stated by US State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel.
The activities of Parliament and political parties are banned
Army chief Park An-su was named commander of the martial law declared late by South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. This was reported by Yonhap, according to which Park has taken the first measures by banning the activities of parliament and political parties.
The military command, launched with President Yoon’s declaration of martial law, announced a decree banning all political activities, including Parliament, as well as protests and political party activities. The decree issued by the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Park An-su, appointed commander of martial law, came into force at 11.00 pm (3.00 pm in Italy) and also puts all media and publishers under control, in addition to ordering striking trainee doctors to immediately return to work within 48 hours. Anyone violating martial law “may be arrested or searched without a warrant,” according to the decree.
The South Korean won collapses against the dollar after martial law
The South Korean currency tumbles against the dollar after President Yoon Suk-yeol’s surprise declaration of martial law: the won slipped to 1,430 won against the greenback in overnight trading, to its lowest level since October 2022 of 1,432.4 . In onshore trade, the Seoul currency closed at 1,402.9 at 3.30 pm local time, down 1.6%.
The political scenario
Yoon’s surprise move came while in Parliament the People Power Party, in power in Seoul, and the main opposition force, the Democratic Party, continue to argue extremely harshly over the budget proposal for 2025: a clash tense but not to the point of allowing one to imagine a draconian move like martial law which harks back to past decades and the dark period of the long military dictatorship. Opposition MPs approved a significantly scaled-down budget plan last week during work in the parliamentary budget committee. “Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyze judicial and administrative systems and subvert our liberal democratic order,” Yoon said. The president attacked the opposition MPs accused of having cut “all the budgets essential for the main functions of the nation, such as fighting drug crimes and maintaining public safety, transforming the country into a drug paradise and a state of chaos for public safety”.
Kremlin, the situation in South Korea is alarming
The Kremlin has called the situation in South Korea “alarming” after the declaration of martial law and is closely monitoring developments, Russian President Dmitry Peskov’s spokesman said. “The situation is alarming. We are watching closely,” Peskov said. Interfax reports it.
London, ‘we are closely following the situation in South Korea’
The British government is closely monitoring the situation in South Korea, where President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law. A Downing Street spokesperson said this. “We advise all British citizens to check UK travel advice for updates and follow the advice of local authorities,” the spokesperson added.
Tajani is following developments in South Korea with the utmost attention
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is following the situation in South Korea with the utmost attention following the riots in front of Parliament. This was reported by the Farnesina, reminding for any need to contact the Crisis Unit on +39 06 36225 and download the Viaggiare Sicuri app.
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