“I deeply regret and take full duty for the confusion and anxiety that martial law has caused the public,” and “I have tendered my resignation to the president,” Kim said in a statement.
According to data from South Korea’s national news agency Yonhap, a vote on the issue is expected to take place the day after tomorrow, Friday the 6th or Saturday the 7th of December.
Mr. Yun, whose popularity is already low, declared martial law in general danger on Tuesday night (local time), accusing the opposition of being made up of ”forces antagonistic to the state”, amid disagreements over the state budget.
However, after the president declared martial law, troops were deployed and helicopters landed on the parliament roof, members of South Korea’s national delegation were able to hold an emergency meeting and pass a resolution calling for the measure to be scrapped – which said Mr. . June after a few hours.
Hundreds of protesters have since gathered outside parliament to demand that the measure be withdrawn and that president Yun succeed.
The imposition of martial law, which the Southeast Asian contry had to live through for more than forty years, meant the suspension of political life, the closing of parliament and strict control of the media.
The news caused concern and disagreement at the international level,mainly from the US,Seoul’s main ally against North Korea,and China.
The official opposition,the Democratic Party,called for the “resignation” of Mr. Yoon, declaring that he will start a process to suspend him, expel him from office, if he does not decide “immediately”.
He also emphasized that it means ensuring that the president, his ministers (Defence, Interior) and the top officers of the armed forces and the police who were responsible for the implementation of martial law (the general wing, chief executive of police). “on rebellion”.
“The president must explain this tragic situation immediately and gently,” party chief Hang Dong-hoon told a Korean television network, adding that “all those responsible must be held accountable .”
The president’s chief secretary and other senior aides submitted to the president “their resignations en masse,” according to South Korea’s national news agency Yonhap. Ruling party chief Han then demanded the dismissal of Defense Minister Kim Jong-hyun and the resignation of all other members of President Yun’s government.
The largest union federation in the country has announced that they are calling an “indefinite general strike” until the president resigns. The Korean Federation of Trade Unions, which has no less than 1.2 million members,called the move made by Mr. Yoon, adding that he “signed the end” of his power with her.
After the measure was imposed, 190 members of parliament voted against it, and special forces soldiers tried to storm the room where the meeting was taking place.
According to Yonhap, more than 280 military personnel attended the Parliament.
In front of the building, in the middle of the night, protesters shouted the slogan “arrest yoon Seok-gil!”, AFP correspondents found.
a few hours later, Mr. Yun gave a new speech announcing that the measure was being lifted and the armed forces were being withdrawn from the capital – a growth that left the protesters delighted.
The action taken by President Yun was reminiscent of 1980, when hundreds of thousands of people demonstrated against a military coup. Those movements were drowned in blood.
The head of state, who is finding it increasingly arduous to get budget approval from the opposition-controlled parliament, said the move was aimed at “eliminating elements hostile to the state” and “protecting South Korea from threats from communist forces of North Korea”. .
opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost the 2022 election to Mr. Yun, called the measure “illegal” and urged the citizens to go to demonstrate in front of Parliament.
The american presidency said it was not aware of the intention of Mr. June He expressed “relief” at the end of the measure, while US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken noted that “we continue to hope that political differences will be resolved peacefully and with respect for the rule of law,” in a statement issued by his office.
The United Nations and Britain expressed concern, while China urged its nationals in the country to be careful. Moscow, which has tightened ties with Pyongyang amid the war in Ukraine, also described the situation as “worrying”.
Japan, on the part of Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, said it was closely monitoring the situation with “grate and serious concern”.
How is the international community, particularly the U.S.and China, reacting to the political situation in South Korea?
Interview between Time.news Editor and south Korean Political Analyst Dr. Min-Jae Han
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. han. Let’s dive right in. Following the recent declaration of martial law by President yoon, we’ve seen quite a tumultuous response both domestically and internationally. Could you give us an overview of the current situation in South Korea?
Dr. Min-Jae Han: Thank you for having me. The situation here is indeed critical. president Yoon’s declaration of martial law, which he justified by accusing opposition forces of being “antagonistic to the state,” has sparked widespread outrage. His approval ratings were already low, but this move has escalated tensions substantially.
Editor: It’s remarkable—and troubling. Following the announcement, we saw rapid mobilization from the national delegation to call for the measure to be scrapped. What led to this swift action?
Dr.Han: Yes, the response was almost immediate. Within hours of the martial law declaration and the deployment of troops, members of parliament convened an emergency session and passed a resolution calling for its withdrawal.This rapid mobilization reflects not only the urgency of the situation but also the significant discontent among lawmakers who fear a return to the authoritarian practices that South Korea experienced for over four decades.
Editor: It seems like the atmosphere is charged with protests as well. can you explain the public’s reaction to Yoon’s decision?
Dr. Han: Absolutely. Hundreds of protesters have gathered outside the parliament, demanding not only the immediate withdrawal of martial law but also the resignation of President Yoon. The public is deeply concerned about the implications of this kind of rule; they remember the past and fear a return to oppressive governance. the calls for Yoon’s resignation from the opposition party add more pressure on his already shaky management.
Editor: The way the international community is reacting is also noteworthy. We understand that the U.S.and China have expressed concern. How do you see this playing out in terms of South Korea’s foreign relations?
Dr. han: Yes, the international response has been critical. The U.S., being South Korea’s main ally, is quite apprehensive about the implications of martial law, especially in the context of north Korea’s threats in the region. China also watches closely, as stability in South Korea directly affects its interests. The dialog surrounding the situation could alter relationships moving forward, depending on how the domestic situation evolves. International pressure could either isolate President Yoon or force him to reconsider his position and strategies quickly.
Editor: With President Yoon’s future in question, what might this mean for the broader political landscape in South Korea?
Dr. Han: If President Yoon does not act quickly in addressing the growing unrest and protests, I would expect the opposition to intensify their calls for his resignation and possibly even succeed in initiating a suspension process against him. This could led to a shift in power dynamics within parliament, possibly bringing in a more progressive government if new elections are held.
Editor: It’s a pivotal moment for South Korea. In the face of such turmoil, how critically important is the action of civil society, and what role do you believe they will play moving forward?
Dr. Han: Civil society is vital in this context. The people of South Korea have a strong history of mobilization against authoritarianism. Their protests and demands for accountability hold leaders accountable and can shape the political discourse. As seen in previous movements, grassroots activism can significantly impact the direction of governance, particularly if the situation becomes increasingly oppressive.
Editor: Thank you,Dr. Han, for these insights. It’s clear that South Korea is at a crossroads,and the coming days will likely prove critical for both the nation’s democracy and the future of its leadership. We appreciate your time today.
Dr. Han: Thank you. It’s a pleasure to discuss these important issues, and I, too, look forward to how this unfolds in the coming days.