Thursday, 05 December 2024
Thursday, 05 December 2024
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an “emergency martial law,” on Tuesday, around 10.30 pm, accusing the country's Opposition of controlling the Parliament, sympathising with North Korea and paralysing the government with anti-state activities.
Troops were seen carrying full battle gear, including assault rifles, trying to keep protesters away from the National Assembly as military helicopters flew overhead and landed nearby right after the declaration.
With this decision, South Korea imposed martial law in the country after over 40 years.
In a televised briefing, Yoon vowed to “eradicate shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens.” The Opposition Democratic Party called an emergency meeting of its lawmakers following Yoon's announcement.
Six hours later, around 4.30 am the martial law was lifted during a cabinet meeting. So what happened in between?
The liberal opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament, said Wednesday that its lawmakers decided to call on Yoon to quit or they would take steps to impeach him.
“President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration was a clear violation of the constitution. It didn't abide by any requirements to declare it,” the Democratic Party said in a statement. “His martial law declaration was originally invalid and a grave violation of the constitution. It was a grave act of rebellion and provides perfect grounds for his impeachment.”
The National Assembly voted to overrule the president. The parliament rejected Yoon's martial law declaration in a 190-0 vote, 18 lawmakers from Yoon's ruling People Power Party cast ballots supporting the rejection.
Besides the Opposition party, people remained undeterred by the short-lived martial law. According to reports, the streets seemed busy like a normal day Wednesday in Seoul.
“South Koreans went to offices, businesses and schools as usual on Wednesday.. the city of 9 million started the day normally with the usual morning rush hour in trains and on the streets…thousands of people streamed to the riverside National Assembly late on Tuesday and into Wednesday calling for Yoon's order to be blocked and then his arrest and resignation.” A Reuters ground report said.
But there was international ramification to Yoon’s sudden declaration. A White House official said, "We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground." The Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson postponed his visit. There was no official statement from North Korea.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also expressed his surprise.
"It is very worrying that we are hearing that a country with which we are allies and friends, such as South Korea, has now declared martial law," he told parliament. "My wish is that this will be withdrawn very quickly."
According to the Associated Press, Yoon’s approval ratings have dipped in recent months as he struggled to push his agenda since assuming office in 2022 because of the Opposition’s control over the Parliament.
Yoon's conservative People Power Party has been recently locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next year's budget bill. He has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals, according to AP.
Yoon assumed power in 2022 with a narrow victory margin. His two years in power have come under the radar for allegations of corruption and lack of press freedom.
