South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared an “emergency martial law” in the country, vowing to eradicate “anti-state” and “pro-North Korean forces” in the country.
However, hours later, the South Korean Parliament, also known as the National Assembly, Speaker declared the martial law invalid after lawmakers voted to reject it. The resolution was passed with 190 of 300 members of the ruling and opposition parties in attendance, and all voting in favour of it. The President has yet to approve the rejection of martial law.
Earlier in the day, while declaring martial law, Yoon did not cite any specific threat from the nuclear-armed North, instead focusing on his domestic political opponents. It is the first time since 1980 that martial law has been declared in South Korea.
After the imposition of martial law, the leader of South Korea’s main opposition, the Democratic Party, called on all its members to assemble in parliament to protest against martial law.
“This declaration is illegal and constitutes a criminal act, directly violating the Constitution and other laws,” the Democratic Party said in response.
Shortly after Yoon made his announcement, people began gathering outside the parliament building, some of them shouting, “Withdraw emergency martial law!”
“Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol” shouted others.
Clashes also erupted between security forces and protesters outside as they tried to storm the National Assembly in Seoul to oppose the imposition of martial law.
After taking office in 2022, Yoon has continuously struggled to push his government’s agenda in parliament, where the opposition parties have a numeric majority over his People Power Party (PPP).
The recent flashpoint between the PPP and the Democratic Party developed over next year’s budget bill.
Yoon has also come under fire from the opposition parties for dismissing calls for an independent investigation into scandals involving his wife and top officials.
(With inputs from news agency Associated Press)
