South Korea Marshal Law: President Yoon Sook Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night (December 03, 2024), which stunned South Koreans and an attempt was made by soldiers to enter the parliament. Lawmakers and protesters protested against the country’s most serious challenge to democracy since the 1980s.
1. The Speaker of Parliament declared the declaration of martial law invalid and MPs voted to reject it. According to a local news portal report, South Korea’s military has said that it will maintain martial law until President Yoon Suk-yeol orders its lifting.
2. The decision by the military to continue martial law has sparked further debate, with opposition leader Lee Jae-myung condemning the move as illegal and claiming that following orders under such a regime violates the law. There will be a violation. Lee’s statement emphasized that martial law is illegal under the current circumstances.
3. Within just two and a half hours of the announcement, 190 members of the National Assembly voted for the removal of martial law. In South Korea, thousands of people have taken to the streets against this order. Despite this, the President is adamant on his decision. At midnight the situation worsened so much that the President had to take out tanks on the streets.
4. The UK government has urged British people to avoid demonstrations in South Korea and said it is monitoring the situation closely. “We would advise all British citizens to monitor UK travel advice for updates and follow the advice of local authorities,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s deputy spokesman told reporters.
5. South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung declared that anyone following orders issued by President Yoon Suk-yeol and military commanders in the context of martial law would be acting illegally. Lee stressed that if martial law is declared under the current administration, it will have no legal validity.
6. Lee’s comments come amid rising political tension in the country. He stressed that following unconstitutional instructions would put a person on the wrong side of the law. He said, “The martial law imposed in such a context is invalid. Following such orders is a violation of the law.”
7. This announcement has further increased the conflict between the ruling and opposition groups, with the opposition group accusing the administration of weakening democratic principles. Lee urged the military and civilians to prioritize the rule of law and warned against possible abuse of emergency powers by the current government.
8. The political atmosphere remains tense as opposition leaders challenge the administration’s actions and policies, calling them a threat to South Korea’s democratic structure.
9. Martial law Commander Park’s order also bans “actions that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system, including the spread of fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda.”
10. Martial law Commander Park’s order also bans “actions that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system, including the spread of fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda.”
Also read: Martial law imposed in South Korea! Know what it is, when it is imposed and how much impact it will have on the public.