Martial-law declared by President to counter ‘anti-state’ forces in South Korea
Total chaos erupted in South Korea on Tuesday evening after President Yoon Suk Yeol announced martial law to eradicate “anti-state” elements, alleging that the opposition-led Parliament was sympathetic to communist North Korea.
Soon after the announcement, however, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik deemed the martial law declaration ‘invalid,’ and legislators voted against it.
Thousands of individuals flooded the streets, attempting to breach the Parliament to protest against the enforcement of martial law. Confrontations occurred between protesters and security forces outside the National Assembly in Seoul.
Images shared on social media displayed police officers monitoring the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers with rifles positioned in front of the main building to prevent unauthorized access.
As reported by South Korea’s news agency Yonhap, access to the National Assembly was restricted, preventing MPs from entering the structure. A leader from a small opposition party in South Korea informed AP that there were insufficient legislators available to oppose the martial law declaration, as police obstructed the entrance to Parliament.
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All military divisions of the nation, which is still technically engaged in conflict with the nuclear-capable North Korea, were instructed to elevate their emergency readiness status and strengthen preparedness protocols.
Lee Jae-myung, head of the liberal Democratic Party that has the majority in the 300-member Parliament, stated that the party’s leaders and lawmakers will stay in the Assembly’s main chamber until Yoon officially rescinds his order, as reported by AP.
In a broadcast speech, President Yoon declared that martial law would be essential to “reconstruct and safeguard” the nation from “national disaster.”
He highlighted his dedication to “eliminate pro-North Korean elements and safeguard the constitutional democratic system”. Yoon also committed to promptly eradicate “anti-state forces” and restore normalcy, encouraging the public to have faith in him despite any “disruptions”.
