South Korea’s Military Says Martial Law In Place Despite Parliament’s Rejection

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

SEOUL (Worthy News) – South Korea’s military warned Tuesday that martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol would remain in place “until he lifts it” despite the parliament’s majority vote against the measure.

In an unexpected late-night television address, Yoon announced martial law for the first time in more than four decades since the end of the military dictatorship in the late 1980s.

Yoon told the nation late Tuesday that the move was necessary as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces” working with the opposition were trying to overthrow the free democracy.”

Protesters soon arrived at the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, where reporters heard people screaming and chanting. At the same time, security forces and police buses filled the area with their sirens.

According to South Korean media, lawmakers arrived there to vote on the martial law declaration, some breaking through police barriers and entering through windows.

The South Korean National Assembly then voted to block President Yoon‘s martial law declaration, with 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat assembly in favor. The result drew applause from the gathered lawmakers, witnesses said.

Yoon, who was elected president in 2022, has been in a near-constant political standoff with the opposition, which controls Parliament.

PLUNGING APPROVAL RATINGS

Amid the turmoil, his government faced plunging public approval ratings, which critics say may have contributed to declaring martial law.

The measure enables Yoon, 63, to replace the civilian government by military rule and suspend civilian legal processes for military powers.

The martial law he announced contained six mandates, with alleged violations resulting in arrest and search or seizure without a warrant. “All political activities – including those of the legislature, the National Assembly – are prohibited. Any act that “attempts to overthrow the liberal democratic system is prohibited,” the order said.

Additionally, “Fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda” are also prohibited. And the news media is “under martial law control,” ending press freedom.

Strikes, work stoppages, and protests that “incite social unrest” are prohibited. According to the law, medical workers “have 48 hours to return to work or face punishment.”

However, even Han Dong-hoon, the chairman of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s People Power Party, called the president’s declaration of martial law “wrong” in a statement on Tuesday. “We will stop it along with the people,” he said.

Yet, as security forces gathered in the streets of Seoul, it was not immediately clear when the nation would return to a sense of normalcy.

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