South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol announced the lifting of martial law on Tuesday, hours after it was announced. He made this decision by describing the opposition, the majority in Parliament, as “forces unfriendly to the State”, and by recalling threats coming from North Korea.
First the leader created a surprise during a live televised speech. “to protect liberal South Korea from the threats from the communist forces of North Korea and eliminate elements hostile to the State (…) I declare emergency martial law,” he announced.
The head of state, however, did not mention a specific threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, focusing instead on its domestic political enemies. “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,” said the president.
Yoon suk Yeol retreated a few hours later. He announced that he would lift martial law and withdraw the troops deployed in Seoul, and that the head of state would have to comply with a vote in the opposition-led Parliament.
“A request from the National Assembly succeeded in raising the state of emergency and we continued to withdraw the soldiers who were deployed for martial law operations,” the president announced, again on television.
>> Details from Michael Peuker in the Forum:
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law, opposition calls for protests (video) / Forum / 2 min. / yesterday at 6:00 p.m.
parliament sealed
There was a shock wave in the country due to the declaration of martial law, which has not experienced this measure since 1980 and whose regime is considered democratic.
At the President’s announcement, the South Korean Parliament was sealed off and helicopters landed on its roof in Seoul. At the opposition’s call, hundreds of people came to Parliament to protest.
Martial law allows military authorities to assume certain civilian functions to maintain public order and ensure national security.It could, such as, establish a curfew or deploy armed forces.
The army also announced some of the measures, including the ban on the activities of the Parliament and political parties, and the media and publishers that come under the control of the command responsible for the implementation of martial law.
Internal competitions
These events come as yoon Suk Yeol’s People Power Party continues to battle with the opposition main Democratic Party over next year’s proposed budget. Opposition MPs approved a significantly reduced budget program last week through committee.
“Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyze the administrative and judicial systems and subvert our liberal democratic order,” declared Yoon Suk Yeol justified. the martial law.
He also accused the elected representatives of the opposition of “cutting all the budgets necessary for the main functions of the nation, namely the fight against drug-related crimes and the maintenance of public security (…) to transform the country a drug haven. and a place of chaos with public safety.”
Yoon Suk Yeol described the opposition,which has a majority in Parliament,as “functions hostile to the state that intend to overthrow the regime”,declaring that his decision was “inevitable”. “I will bring back normalcy to the country by getting rid of these forces hostile to the state quickly,” the South Korean president said.
“Tanks,armored personnel carriers and soldiers armed with guns and knives will rule the country,” criticized Lee Jae-myung,leader of the Democratic Party,during a speech broadcast online. “The economy of the Republic of Korea will irreversibly decline,” he said.
>> Details from Chloé Borgnon in South Korea:
Martial law was declared in South Korea: explanations from the journalist Chloé Borgnon, correspondent of France 24 in South Korea / 7:30 pm / 1 min. / yesterday at 7:30 pm
juma/boi/hkr with agencies
How has public reaction influenced President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to reverse martial law?
Time.news Interview: The Lifting of Martial Law in South Korea
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome, everyone, to this special segment where we delve into the recent political turbulence in South Korea. Joining me today is Dr. Jinho Park, a political analyst specializing in East Asian affairs. Thank you for being here,Dr. Park.
Dr. Jinho park: Thank you for having me.It’s a pleasure to discuss such an meaningful topic.
Interviewer: Let’s get straight to it. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law sent shockwaves throughout South Korea. How unprecedented is this move in the context of South Korean democracy?
Dr. Park: It truly is unprecedented, especially given that martial law has not been declared since 1980. South Korea has a strong democratic foundation now, so any action reminiscent of past authoritarian measures raises alarms about the state of civil liberties and governance.
Interviewer: President Yoon described opposition parties as “forces unfriendly to the State.” What does this rhetoric indicate about the current political climate?
Dr.Park: That rhetoric is indicative of a deepening polarization in South Korean politics. By framing the opposition in such stark terms, the president not only seeks to rally his base but also delegitimize his opponents. It reflects a shift towards more contentious politics, where dissent is viewed as a threat rather than a vital part of democracy.
Interviewer: You mentioned the historical context; is there a parallel between this situation and previous political crises in South Korea?
dr. Park: Absolutely. History has shown us that invoking state security often bears the risk of undermining democratic institutions. In the past, similar tactics have been used to suppress political dissent, leading to widespread public backlash. President yoon might not realize that such moves could led to unintended consequences, such as protests or a loss of public trust.
Interviewer: Speaking of protests, South Korea’s opposition has called for public demonstrations against this martial law. What could that mean for the future of Yoon’s governance?
Dr. Park: Should the protests gain momentum, it could significantly challenge Yoon’s administration. Public sentiment is crucial in South Korean politics,and large-scale protests can lead to political shifts.The recent lifting of martial law suggests a recognition of the potential backlash. However, if the protests are sustained, they might force the government to reconsider its approach or lead to political instability.
Interviewer: In a matter of just hours, martial law was lifted and troops withdrawn. What does this rapid reversal say about the administration’s internal dynamics?
Dr. Park: The speed of this reversal indicates that there was perhaps significant pushback, both from within the government and from the public. It suggests that the administration may not have anticipated the level of discontent and could imply that Yoon’s leadership is more precarious than it appears. Listening to the National Assembly and quickly complying with its request demonstrates a degree of vulnerability.
Interviewer: looking forward, what measures do you think the South Korean government should take to restore public trust?
Dr. Park: Openness and dialog with the opposition and the public will be crucial. They must prioritize democratic principles, engage in thoughtful discussions regarding national security in a way that does not undermine civic freedoms, and perhaps even reassess their approach to governance. Building consensus is necessary to prevent further political crises.
Interviewer: Thank you,Dr.Park, for your invaluable insights on this evolving situation in South Korea. It will be interesting to see how this political landscape continues to unfold.
Dr. Park: Thank you for having me. It’s vital to keep the conversations going about democracy and governance in South Korea.
Interviewer: And that wraps up our discussion for today. Stay tuned for more updates on this story and other global issues. thank you for watching Time.news.