South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (South Korea Unification Ministry via AP).Yoon Suk Yeol Declares Martial Law Highlights: The lawmakers of opposition led coalition have tabled a motion in the South Korean parliament to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The bill was tabled in the National Assembly, which is the country’s legislature. The six parties, including the main opposition Democratic Party, joined hands to propose the impeachment motion against President Yoon.
Demonstrators on Wednesday morning gathered outside South Korea’s National Assembly to demand the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had imposed a martial law in the country only to call it off hours later. Trade union members, opposition party are demanding that President Yoon steps down.
The martial law in South Korea, which was enforced by President Yoon Suk Yeol in a surprise move, had been called-off after 190 MPs in parliament voted against it. In less than two hours of implementing the martial law, MPs had defied the president, gathering at the National Assembly and voting to block his move.
Hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” in South Korea Tuesday, military troops tried to enter the Parliament, according to news agency Reuters. Yoon made the declaration in an unannounced television address, accusing the opposition of “sympathising with North Korea” and “paralysing the government with anti-state activities.” Live TV footage showed troops, who had allegedly been tasked with imposing the law, trying to enter the Assembly building. Opposition leaders, also called parliamentary aides, could also be seen attempting to prevent soldiers from entering the premises by spraying fire extinguishers on them.
Parliament lifts the martial law: Hours after Yoon’s announcement, the Parliament voted to reject the martial law, while National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declared it invalid, as per Reuters. Speaker Shik declared that lawmakers “will protect democracy with the people”, and called for police and military personnel to withdraw from the Assembly’s grounds, The Associated Press reported. As per South Korea’s constitution, the President’s martial law declaration must be reviewed by the cabinet and be relayed to the National Assembly. The president must comply when the National Assembly requests the lifting of martial law by a majority vote of members.
The martial law and why President Yeol imposed it: The martial law is meant to replace South Korea’s civilian government and establish military rule. It also suspends civilian legal processes for military ones. Standard civil liberties may be suspended till martial law is in force. The latest National Assembly elections held in South Korea earlier this year delivered a landslide verdict for the opposition. Moreover, in recent weeks, Yoon’s conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also moved to impeach three top prosecutors, thus leading to Yoon’s decision to impose martial law.
South Korean lawmakers submit an impeachment motion against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday. (Reuters Photo)
South Korea's defence minister Kim Yong-hyun offered to resign on Wednesday over President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law, the defence ministry said.
South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly imposed emergency martial law on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces after he struggled to push forward his agenda in the opposition-dominated parliament.
But his martial law was effective for only about six hours, as the National Assembly voted to overrule the president.
Many tourists in Seoul seemed largely unfazed by the political turmoil unfolding in the capital as they flocked on Wednesday to the city’s largest palace, local landmarks, and shopping streets.
Some awoke to worried text messages from friends and family, who heard the news about President Yoon Suk Yeol’s stunning martial law declaration Tuesday night.
But with the declaration formally lifted, tourists ventured from their hotels.
Early Wednesday at Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of royal palaces, tourists wore traditional clothing rented from nearby shops as they posed for photos.
Emma Basnawi, visiting from Indonesia, said she thought “something big might happen” when she heard about the martial law declaration, and was a little concerned.
But riots and protests aren’t unusual back at home in Jakarta so she planned to stick to her itinerary as much as possible, she said.
Commuters use their phones inside a subway car, in Seoul, on Wednesday (Reuters Photo)
China's embassy in Seoul has urged its national to be remain vigilant and stay informed about the situation in South Korea amid a political turmoil in the country after President Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to impose martial law in the country, but failed due to pressure from opposition and parliament blocking the move.
"The social order in South Korea is now back to normal, and Chinese citizens in South Korea can return to their daily lives. However, please remain vigilant, stay informed about the local situation, and enhance your personal safety precautions," the Chinese embassy said, as quoted by CNN.
On Tuesday night, when the martial law chaos was unfolding in Seoul, the Chinese embassy asked its nationals to reduce unnecessary outings, express political opinions with caution and follow the official notices issued by the South Korean government.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's office said on Wednesday a declaration of martial law by Yoon late on Tuesday was justified and within the bounds of the constitution, denying martial law forces had interfered with lawmakers' access to parliament.
Yoon reversed the order hours later after parliament rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media.
(Reuters)
The opposition lawmakers in South Korea have tabled a motion in the parliament to impeach the incumbent President Yoon Suk Yeol, who belongs to the ruling People Power Party over his failed attempt to impose martial law in the country on Tuesday night.
The motion, which is required to be debated, will got to a vote possibly later this week, reported BBC.
Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has expressed serious concerns over South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to impose martial law in the country and later reverse it, as the Japanese PM said that he is monitoring the situation closely.
Japan PM Ishiba further said that the Japanese government was "taking all possible measures" to ensure the safety of Japanese nationals in South Korea and that he is not aware of any national getting injured.
President Yoon declared a martial law in South Korea last night, and later reversed his decision amid severe backlash from opposition and his own ruling party.
The South Korean lawmakers on Wednesday demanded that President Yoon Suk Yeol steps down or an impeachment motion will be called in parliament after he declared martial law in the country, only to reverse it hours later triggering a political crisis in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
The surprise decision by President Yoon led cabinet met with stiff opposition from the public and the lawmakers who rushed to the National Assembly in order to block the move. In a late night vote, a majority of 190 lawmakers present out of 300, including 18 members from Yoon's party voted to defy the presidential order and reverse the move.
The parliamentarians of a coalition from opposition parties have said that they intend to table a bill in the National Assembly in order to impeach President Yoon on Wednesday and added that it should be voted upon within 72 hours, reported Reuters.
Hwang Un-ha, one of the MPs in the coalition, told media “The parliament should focus on immediately suspending the president’s business to pass an impeachment bill soonest.”
South Korea's prime minister, ruling party People Power Party and advisers of President Yoon Suk Yeol are due to meet in an emergency gathering at 2 pm local time (12 am ET) on Wednesday, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Reportedly, it remains unclear whether President Yoon will attend the meeting. The meeting will take place after the reversal of a controversial order by the president to impose martial law in the country last night.
Soon after the imposition, President Yoon faced a political backlash from opposition and his own party, protests sprung outside the National Assembly when the president rescinded his decision.
After South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol called to reverse his surprise decision of imposing martial law in the country, the United States embassy in Seoul has said that it is a crucial step.
In a post on X, the US embassy said, "The U.S. believes President Yoon's announcement to end martial law is a crucial step. As our senior leaders continue to engage with the ROK to support our shared values & ensure stability in the region, we reaffirm our ironclad commitment to the US-Korea Alliance, to the security of the ROK & to the Korean people."
However, demands are growing across the South Korea for President Yoon's resignation and the opposition alliance has said to bring in a motion of impeachment against the president.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who was scheduled to visit South Korea this week, has postponed his trip due to the recent developments in the country over the wake of failed martial law being enforced by President Yoon Suk Yeol.
“We have been in contact with South Korea this morning, and will now work together to find a new time for the visit in the future,” a Swedish spokesperson said, as per Reuters.
The spokesperson further added, “We attach great value to our relationship with South Korea and look forward to travel there in the future.”
The chief of South Korea's ruling People Power Party Han Dong-hoon on Wednesday called for the dismissal of the entire cabinet and Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun to be fired, reported Reuters.
Han told reporters that he suggested to expel President Yoon Suk Yeol from the party but other members of the party have different views on it. President Yoon imposed martial law in the country, only to reverse his decision a couple of hours later amid backlash from the people and parliament voting against it.
The National Assembly can impeach the president if more than two-thirds of lawmakers vote for it. A trial is then held by the constitutional court, which can confirm it with a vote by six of the nine justices.
President Yoon Suk Yeol’s party controls 108 seats in the 300-member legislature.
(Reuters)
Following President Yoon’s announcement to lift the martial law declaration, the situation remains fluid. U.S. citizens should anticipate potential disruptions. When in public, you should pay attention to your surroundings and exercise routine safety precautions. Click here for…
— 주한미국대사관 U.S. Embassy Seoul (@USEmbassySeoul) December 3, 2024
The United States embassy has issued guidance to American citizens in South Korea amid martial law being imposed and later on lifted by President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The central bank of South Korea, Bank of Korea, has listed down several measures to stabilize the currency market.
Demonstrators gathered outside the National Assembly of South Korea on Wednesday morning are demanding the resignation of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
According to a CNN report, over hundreds of protesters chanted “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol” and “Trash Yoon Suk Yeol,” and called for the president’s impeachment.
Trade union members, opposition party led by Democratic Party, have led protests against President Yoon to step down or face impeachment. Yoon imposed martial law late last night in the country, only to reverse it hours later amid backlash and parliament voting to block it.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s chief of staff and more than 10 senior secretaries to the president have offered to resign en masse, according to the president’s office.
The CNN reported that President Yoon himself is yet to make a public appearance while his close aide are tendering resignations.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has postponed his first scheduled public meeting on Wednesday morning, according to an official from his office, reported Yonhap news agency.
President Yoon was due to preside over a meeting at around 10am (local time) but has since reportedly withdrawn. He hasn’t appeared publicly after declaring martial law in the country and later on lifting it just hours after the decree following a fierce backlash, BBC reported.
South Korea's financial regulator said it was ready to deploy 10 trillion won ($7.07 billion) in a stock market stabilization fund any time, the Yonhap news agency said.
(Reuters)
One of South Korea’s biggest trade unions, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) with around one million members, has called for a strike against the failed martial law imposition by President Yoon Suk Yeol and have said to protest until he resigns, the BBC reported.
In a Facebook post, KCTU said “Yoon Suk-yeol has chosen the irrational and anti-democratic method of martial law to extend his political life as he has been driven to the edge."
The protesting group added, "The people will not forgive this. They remember the fate of regimes that declared martial law,” BBC reported.
People gather in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (AP Photo)
The main opposition political party in South Korea, Democratic Party, has called for President Yoon Suk Yeol to immediately resign or face impeachment in the National Assembly. President Yoon has been in office since 2022.
“Even if martial law is lifted, he cannot avoid treason charges. It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down,” said Park Chan-dae, a senior Democratic Party member.
“Resign immediately! It is the people's order!” added Park, as reported by Reuters.
South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” in an unannounced television address late on Tuesday (December 3) night, accusing the opposition of sympathising with North Korea and paralysing the government with anti-state activities.
“Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into the depths of national ruin… I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalise the country,” he said, while requesting the public to tolerate “some inconveniences”.
What does martial law entail?
Put simply, martial law is the replacement of civilian government by military rule, and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military ones. Standard civil liberties may be suspended for as long as martial law continues.
Article 77 of the Republic of Korea’s constitution contains provisions pertaining to the declaration of martial law in the country. It says: “When it is required to cope with a military necessity or to maintain the public safety and order by mobilization of the military forces in time of war, armed conflict or similar national emergency, the President may proclaim martial law as prescribed by law.”
“Under extraordinary martial law, special measures may be taken with respect to the necessity for warrants, freedom of speech, the press, assembly and association, or the powers of the Executive and the Judiciary under the conditions as prescribed by law,” Article 77 further says.
Why did President Yoon declare martial law?
Since the latest National Assembly elections held earlier this year delivered a landslide verdict for the opposition, Yoon has effectively been a lame duck president. He has not been able to pass the laws he wants, and has instead been reduced to vetoing bills passed by the opposition. This is what he was referring to when he spoke about the opposition having “paralysed state affairs”.
The United States embassy in South Korea has warned its citizens that the situation in the country remains fluid even after the controversial martial law was lifted by President Yoon Suk Yeol.
"You should avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large crowds, gatherings, protests, or rallies. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence," the US embassy in South Korea said.
The embassy in its statement added that Americans should “anticipate potential disruptions” and exercise routine safety measures while in public areas.
The White House in a statement has said that it is “relieved” that the martial law has been reversed by South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol.
“We are relieved that President Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law,” a spokesperson of the White House said.
US officials reportedly were caught off-guard by the declaration of a martial law in South Korea and have been reacting to the development since.
"Democracy is at the foundation of the US-South Korea alliance, we will continue to monitor the situation," the spokesperson added.
Amid a failed attempt at martial law by South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol, a group of approximately 40 lawmakers are drafting a bill to impeach the president as early as Wednesday, the BBC reported.
Some lawmakers, who are reportedly in leadership roles, have urged the South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down ahead of impeachment proceedings, news agency Yonhap reported.
Hours after imposing martial law across the South Korea, the country’s President Yoon Suk Yeol said that he is lifting it to honour the voting done in National Assembly.
President Yoon Suk Yeol said, “After the National Assembly's demand to lift martial law, martial law troops have been withdrawn. I will accept the National Assembly's demand and lift martial law through a cabinet meeting.”
The development came after 190 lawmakers, present in Seoul, unanimously blocked the move to impose martial law in South Korea.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday, as per Reuters, that he would move to lift a martial law declaration he had imposed just hours before, honoring a parliamentary vote against the measure.
Germany's foreign office said on Tuesday it is following developments in South Korea closely and with great concern, reported Reuters. In the post on X, it added "democracy must prevail."
The British government said on Tuesday it was deeply concerned about the events unfolding in South Korea and called for a peaceful and lawful resolution to the situation.
"Our embassy in Seoul continues to monitor developments and is in touch with the Korean authorities," said Catherine West, Britain's Minister for the Indo-Pacific, asking UK nationals in South Korea to keep following her government's travel advice.
(With inputs from Reuters)
The United States was not given advance notice of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law in the country and Washington is seriously concerned by the developments there, a White House spokesperson said on Tuesday.
President Joe Biden's administration is in contact with the South Korean government and is monitoring the situation closely, the spokesperson added.
(With inputs from Reuters)
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said on Tuesday the United States was watching events in US ally South Korea with "grave concern" and had every hope and expectation that any political disputes would be resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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