South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol took everyone by surprise by declaring martial law on Tuesday, December 3. The measure was blocked two hours later by a vote of deputies in a parliament surrounded by soldiers.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law this Tuesday, December 3, around 11 p.m. local time (3 p.m. in Paris), affirming that this measure was necessary to protect the country from “North Korean communist forces”. About two hours later, South Korean lawmakers voted to block the measure. With 190 members present out of 300, parliamentarians adopted a motion calling for the lifting of martial law. At the same time, the President of the South Korean National Assembly announced the departure of the South Korean army soldiers deployed near the Parliament. On South Korean television, the army declared that it would “respect martial law until lifted by the president.”
“To protect liberal South Korea from threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements […] I declare emergency martial law”declared the president in a televised address. But it was less Pyongyang than the South Korean political opposition that was targeted. In his speech, Yoon Suk Yeol accused the opposition of controlling Parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government. “Without concern for the livelihood of the people, the opposition party has paralyzed the government, for the purposes of impeachments, special investigations and to protect its leader from legal prosecution,” assures President Yoon Suk Yeol.
President Yoon's declaration of martial law took place in complete secrecy, even within the president's office, reports the South Korean newspaper Kyunghyang Shinmun. “Most senior officials were unaware of the situation”an official from the presidential office told the media. Libé takes stock of what we know about the situation in Seoul.
How did the opposition party and the ruling party react?
Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-Myung said Yoon's enactment of martial law is unconstitutional. “From this moment on, President Yoon is no longer the president” et “the people did not allow President Yoon Suk Yeol to impose martial law”he said on his YouTube channel. He then addressed the military. “The weapons and swords that the soldiers hold all come from the people” et “the people are the owners of this country, and the masters that the soldiers must obey are not President Yoon, but the people.” The opposition leader later urged South Koreans to protest. “Citizens, come now to the National Assembly. Even if it is late, citizens must protect their country.”
In unison, South Korea's ruling party leader Han Dong-Hoon declared martial law a mistake and vowed to block it. “The president’s declaration of martial law is wrong, we will end it with the people,” he said. President Yoon's declaration of martial law can indeed be lifted by the National Assembly. Article 77 of the South Korean Constitution states that “when the National Assembly requests the lifting of martial law with the approval of the majority of registered members, the President lifts it”.
What is the situation in the South Korean Parliament?
Following the announcement of martial law, the South Korean Parliament was placed under seal, according to the local Yonhap news agency and helicopters landed on its roof. To try to block the application of martial law, parliamentarians met in session around 5 p.m. (Paris time). The majority of deputies voted for the cancellation of the measure.
The vote did not take place in a calm assembly. As soon as the president's announcement was made, police officers went to the area around Parliament around midnight local time (3 p.m. in Paris) to block the entrance to the building. A video also shows soldiers entering the building, apparently to “secure” it.
Several videos show clashes between members of the special forces and people present inside the building. According to images broadcast live on television, hundreds of people flocked to Parliament to protest against the imposition of martial law. “Open the door, please. Your job is to protect the National Assembly. Why do you stand idly by while MPs are trampled?” shouted a man cited by AFP to a group of police guarding the doors of Parliament, which was placed under seal.
The army moved in immediately after martial law was declared. National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun held a meeting of top commanders across the country afterwards, according to a ministry statement, and ordered the entire army to be in good condition. alert. THE Kyunghyang Shinmun recalls that since the creation of the two Koreas in 1948, martial law has been proclaimed ten times. This is the first time in 44 years that this legal measure has been used.
At the end of the day on Tuesday, the South Korean stock market was unable to comment on its possible opening on Wednesday morning.
What are the reactions of the international community?
As 28,500 US troops are mobilized in South Korea to protect the country from its northern neighbor, the White House said “monitor the situation closely”. “We observe with great concern the recent developments in the Republic of Korea (South Korea),” 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.” The United States says it was not informed in advance of the declaration of martial law in South Korea.
Same story on the United Kingdom side, Downing Street indicating “follow closely” the situation. “Obviously this is a situation that is evolving very quickly […] We are closely monitoring developments in South Korea.said a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, while the Foreign Office called on British nationals to “follow the advice of local authorities and avoid political demonstrations”.
The Chinese embassy in South Korea issued a statement addressing its nationals, advising them to “stay calm” and of “strengthen their security vigilance, limit unnecessary outings and exercise caution when expressing political opinions.”
The UN has declared that it follows “with concern” the situation in South Korea, while the Kremlin judges the situation “alarming”. “The situation is alarming. We are following it closely”Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Interfax news agency.
Update at 7:18 p.m. with international reactions.
