Thousands of demonstrators occupied the area around Seoul's government buildings, demanding the lifting of martial law – successfully.Image: trapezoid
December 3, 2024 17:13December 3, 2024 23:16
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South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol lifted martial law in the early hours of Wednesday morning (local time) after a cabinet meeting, about six hours after declaring it.
On the one hand, this step was taken in response to an explicit vote by Parliament asking the President to repeal the Act. On the other hand, it was also the president's reaction to the massive civil protests in Seoul and surrounding areas.
this is what happened
South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday evening (Swiss time) – For the first time since 1980. He accused South Korea's opposition of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government through subversion. This was reported by multiple news organizations.
Yin announced the news on TV. This step is necessary to maintain South Korea's constitutional order:
“To protect liberal South Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to eliminate subversive elements… I hereby declare a state of emergency martial law.”
Yin Xiyeol
South Korea's parliament subsequently voted unanimously to lift martial law, Yonhap News Agency reported. According to local media reports, the military announced that martial law will be maintained until the president personally lifts martial law.
According to South Korea's constitution, the president is obliged to lift martial law if parliament votes against it.
Parliament was temporarily cordoned off and no MPs or anyone else was allowed to enter. The leader of the opposition party said to the Korean people: “Dear compatriots, please come to the National Assembly.” The Korean people responded to his call and thousands of people marched to the government building. There they chanted, among other things “Wilhaft Yin Shilie!”
These are the effects
At first, the precise meaning of martial law was unclear. General Park An-soo, who was appointed commander-in-chief, subsequently banned “all political activities” including party meetings and citizen protests. The general announced in a statement that all media and news portals are under the control of martial law commanders. Anyone spreading “fake news” may be arrested without a warrant.
Photos and videos showed military vehicles and helicopters parked around government buildings. According to Reuters, the South Korean won has depreciated sharply as a direct impact of the declaration of martial law.
These are the reactions
South Korea
On top of that, the main opposition party criticized the president's move: “Martial law is ineffective and illegal, and the president should be held accountable,” said a party statement published by Reuters.
The party also said the declaration of martial law was procedurally invalid because it was done without a cabinet meeting and because the current political and social situation did not meet the standards set out in the country's constitution.
The Yoon administration itself has criticized it. Ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon called martial law “wrong”, local media reported. Han said they would “work with the people to stop it.”
USA
At the same time, the U.S. government is also worried. The White House said: “We are seriously concerned about the developments observed on the ground in South Korea.” They are in contact with the South Korean government, paying close attention to developments and learning more.
The U.S. government was not informed in advance that South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol had declared martial law. US President Joe Biden is said to have been informed of the incidents. The United States is South Korea's closest ally. Nearly 30,000 US soldiers are stationed there.
Russia
The Kremlin said Russia was concerned about the situation in South Korea after President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law. «The situation is shocking. According to the Russian Interfax news agency, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that we are paying close attention to the matter. Russia and North Korea are close allies. The two nuclear powers have just established a strategic partnership that also includes mutual military assistance in the event of attack by a third country.
These are the background
President Yoon has been facing domestic political pressure for months. More recently, a corruption scandal involving his wife has further depressed his approval ratings. The ruling party is also fighting with the opposition over next year's budget law.
Tensions on the Korean peninsula have also been rising for months. North Korea has sharply increased its missile tests and rhetoric against the United States and South Korea over the past two years. In addition, North Korea has sent thousands of troops to Russia, who may be preparing for a mission against Ukraine, according to South Korean intelligence and the U.S. Department of Defense.
(rbu/cpf) Materials from SDA and DPA
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