The South Korean president declared martial law on Tuesday evening, accusing the opposition of fomenting an insurrection.
A decision that took everyone by surprise, even in his own camp.
In a Parliament sealed off by the army, deputies voted to cancel the decree.
This is an unprecedented measure in South Korea since 1980, during a military coup. This Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol proclaimed martial law, in the context of a heated parliamentary debate on the budget. “To protect liberal South Korea from threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate elements hostile to the state (…), I declare emergency martial law”declared the president live in a surprise televised address. A decision immediately judged “illegal” by the leader of the opposition who called on the population to demonstrate.
Minute by minute
THE UNITED STATES “WORRIED”
Washington shared its “concern” about the situation in South Korea, and said it hoped for an outcome that respects the “rule of law” following the proclamation of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol.
“We are observing recent developments in the Republic of Korea with great concern,” said Kurt Campbell, US deputy secretary of state. “We hope and expect that political disputes will be resolved peacefully and with respect for the rule of law.”
24H BIDDING
The crisis in South Korea on the 24H Pujadas program, from 6 p.m. on LCI.
MARTIAL LAW
The situation is still difficult to interpret on the ground, as we see on the LCI set ⬇️.
LCI: martial law promulgated in South KoreaSource : TF1 Info
CONFUSION
After the vote to make martial law “null and void”, the President of the Assembly asked the military and police to leave the Parliament grounds. Although a number of them were indeed seen leaving the scene, the police cordon is still in place around the compound, facing a crowd that continues to grow.
PROTESTERS
The demonstrators gathered in front of Parliament, who chanted “Stop martial law”, changed their slogan, according to the New York Times correspondent on site. They are now chanting “Stop Yoon Suk Yeol!”, the South Korean president.
VOTE AGAINST THE DECREE
While Parliament was surrounded by the police following the promulgation of martial law, 190 deputies managed to vote to block the decree. A vote which, according to the South Korean Constitution, should prevent the application of martial law, without knowing whether it will have any effects.
UPDATE ON THE SITUATION
In a few hours, the latent political crisis in South Korea experienced several dramatic events. The president surprised everyone by declaring martial law, de facto banning all political activity. Parliament was sealed off, but 190 parliamentarians reportedly managed to vote to block the decree. ⬇️
All political activities were banned and the media placed under government surveillance, with the enforcement of martial law entrusted to a general. Helicopters landed on the roof of Parliament in Seoul, as protesters converged on the compound, blocked by police.
According to several sources, 190 parliamentarians managed to hold a vote inside the Assembly, theoretically blocking the martial law decree. Soldiers were seen arriving to reinforce the police around Parliament, while clashes with demonstrators broke out. Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential announcement surprised even his own camp, and his decision seems to have been made in a very restricted circle.
Follow the development of the situation in the live above
