The President of South Korea, yoon Suk-yeol, announced this Tuesday night (local time) a dramatic decision, without prior notice, declaring that martial law would be imposed throughout the territory. Though, the National Assembly declared the declaration “invalid”, and, outside the building, protesters were involved in clashes with the army. The conservative head of state accuses the Democratic Party (PD) of ”anti-state activities”, “conspiracy for rebellion” and sympathy for North Korea.
“I declare martial law to protect the Republic of Korea [Coreia do Sul] free from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable North Korean anti-state forces that are robbing our people of their freedom and happiness, and to protect the free constitutional order,” Yoon announced in a televised speech, at justifying the temporary and urgent governance of the Asian country by the army.
Early on Wednesday (Tuesday evening in portugal), after the president of the National Assembly, Woo Won-shik, was urgently summoned by the PD, 190 of the 300 deputies of the legislative body approved a motion blocking declaration of martial law.
“the President must promptly lift the emergency martial law after the National Assembly vote. From now on, the declaration of emergency martial law is invalid,” Woo announced after the vote, quoted by US broadcaster CNN.
However, the consequences of the approval of this proposal are not entirely clear, especially because, according to the decree signed by Army General Park An-su, named “Commander of Martial Law”, “all political activities, including the activities of the Body. National Assembly, local councils, political parties, political associations, rallies and demonstrations”.
The south Korean Constitution states that the President must notify Parliament of the declaration of martial law. But if the majority of the deputies vote to revoke it, the “President” must comply with that wish, after “discussion” with the members of his Government.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of president Yoon’s own People Power Party (center-right), also criticized the declaration of martial law, saying it was “wrong” and vowing to help “block” him, along with deputies of the opposition, as it happened.
At around 2:30 am on Wednesday (5:30 pm this Tuesday in mainland Portugal), South Korean delegates were still gathered in the National Assembly room, waiting for an official response from Yoon. Some soldiers have left the building, but military leaders have indicated that they will comply with the Parliament’s order only after receiving appropriate authorization from the president.
“chaos” inside and outside Parliament
Before the vote, the South Korean Armed Forces prevented delegates from accessing the National Assembly, sent soldiers into the building and sent helicopters flying over the area. South Korean news agency Yonhap reported a situation of “chaos” inside and outside Parliament, which included clashes between protesters and security forces.
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the PD, asked the public to go to the National assembly to protest against the President’s decision. Thousands of people joined the call, gathering in front of the gates of the Parliament, located in the Yeongdeungpo district, and calling for Yoon’s removal from office.
“Tanks, armored vehicles and soldiers armed with pistols and knives will rule the country,” Lee insisted, “The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse.”
Under the terms of the military decree, all “strikes, work stoppages and demonstrations that incite social chaos” were also prohibited; and “all media and publications are subject to the control of the Martial Law Command.”
The decree, cited by Reuters, emphasizes that violators can be arrested, detained and searched without a warrant in accordance with Article 9 of the Republic of Korea’s Martial Law and punished under Article 14.
Former attorney General, Yoon Suk-yeol entered active politics only in 2021, after being elected to the presidency of South Korea the following year, with the support of the PPP, later leading a campaign based on an aggressive and populist discourse anti-corruption. .
In April of this year,the President,however,lost the ability to implement his programme,after the PD won the majority of deputies in the National Assembly,in the legislative elections. According to the South Korean system, the head of state can only serve one presidential term, which lasts five years, so yoon’s hands are tied, in terms of political and legislative initiatives, until 2027.
Kurt Campbell, the US deputy secretary of state, said that the United States is following developments in the political situation in South Korea with “concern.” A British Government spokesman reported a similar position from the United Kingdom.
The last time martial law was declared in South Korea was in 1979, after the assassination of dictator Park Chung-Hee. Shortly after, General Chun Doo-Hwan led a military coup and took power, ruling the country with an iron fist until 1988, before the transition to democracy was allowed.
How does the declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk-yeol compare to historical instances of martial law in South Korea?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Political Expert on South korea’s Martial Law Declaration
Time.news Editor: Good afternoon,and welcome. Today we have a very critical topic to discuss—South Korea’s recent declaration of martial law by President Yoon suk-yeol. Joining us is dr. Ji-Yoon Kim, a political analyst specializing in Korean affairs. Dr. Kim, thank you for being here.
Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim: Thank you for having me. it’s a pleasure to be here.
Time.news Editor: Let’s jump right in. President Yoon has declared martial law, citing threats from “North Korean communist forces.” What do you make of this decision, especially since it was made without prior notice?
Dr. ji-Yoon Kim: The proclamation was indeed unexpected and raises significant concerns. yoon’s justification of martial law—citing the Democratic Party’s alleged “anti-state activities” and collaboration with North Korea—suggests a highly polarized political atmosphere. The lack of prior interaction is alarming, as it undermines the democratic processes in place.
Time.news Editor: The National Assembly quickly deemed the martial law “invalid.” How does that legislative response play into the current political climate in South Korea?
Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim: The swift response from the National Assembly reflects a robust resistance to Yoon’s authority, especially by the opposition party. With 190 out of 300 legislators voting to block the declaration, it shows a strong commitment to uphold constitutional governance even in crisis. This could ignite further tensions, not just between the ruling party and the opposition, but also within the public sphere.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of tensions, there were protests and clashes with the military outside the National Assembly. How do you see public sentiment towards thes developments?
Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim: Public sentiment is divided, but there is a palpable fear of authoritarian governance creeping in. The government’s heavy-handed measures, such as martial law that restricts political activities and assembly, are likely to provoke widespread dissent and lead to more protests. many South Koreans value their democratic freedoms and will resist any attempts at curtailing them.
Time.news Editor: The President has declared that fighting the “despicable North Korean anti-state forces” is part of protecting the constitutional order. Do you think this rhetoric is resonating with the public?
Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim: There is a historical thread in South Korean politics where the North is used as a scapegoat to rally support and suppress opposition. Though, over time public sentiment has shifted, especially among younger generations who prioritize human rights and democratic values. Yoon’s rhetoric may resonate with hardliners,but it risks alienating moderates and younger voters who are skeptical of increasing militarization and demands for loyalty.
Time.news Editor: Given the South Korean Constitution mandates the President must notify Parliament before declaring martial law, what might the ramifications be if this procedure is not followed?
Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim: The failure to adhere to constitutional mandates can undermine the legitimacy of the presidency.It sets a dangerous precedent where executive power can be wielded without accountability. If this continues, we may see calls for impeachment or other drastic measures from both the legislature and civil society, possibly destabilizing the government further.
Time.news Editor: Considering these events, what do you see as the next steps for both the President and the opposition?
Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim: For President Yoon, there’s immense pressure to withdraw the martial law and restore faith in his leadership.He faces a pivotal moment—either to engage in dialog with the opposition or to double down on his hardline approach. the opposition, on the other hand, must maintain unity and capitalize on public discontent, pushing for legal avenues to challenge any overreach of power. a delicate balance must be struck to avoid escalating tensions into a larger crisis.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr.Kim. Your insights shed light on this highly complex situation. We’ll be watching closely as developments unfold in South Korea.
Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to keep the dialogue open in these challenging times.