On the evening of December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol held a surprise press conference on television and declared emergency martial law.
According to The Korea Herald, this is the first time South Korea has declared martial law in 44 years, since the anti-military government democracy movement in 1980.
In a televised speech, President Yoon said the decision was to counter the threat from North Korea and eliminate anti-state forces in the country, protecting constitutional order. Yoon criticized the opposition's unprecedented efforts to impeach officials and demands for budget cuts that have paralyzed the government. Immediately after the decision was announced, the Ministry of National Defense convened an emergency meeting of commanders and asked for heightened vigilance.
Army Chief of Staff Park An-su was appointed as head of the Martial Law Command and issued military orders including regulations such as banning all political activities, strikes, and demonstrations; prohibiting plots to overthrow the democratic regime; prohibiting fake news and false propaganda; and the Command controlling all media and publishing activities; all medical staff, including those who had been on strike, were to return to work within 48 hours.
Police set up barricades outside the South Korean National Assembly building in Seoul on the evening of December 3.
Later that evening, police blocked the entrance to the parliament building while military forces enforcing martial law landed in helicopters on the grounds and soldiers then entered the building, according to Reuters. Leaders of Mr. Yoon’s own party and the opposition Democratic Party criticized the decision to declare martial law as unconstitutional.
Late at night on December 3 (Vietnam time), the South Korean National Assembly voted to lift martial law with 190/300 members present. Afterwards, the National Assembly representative announced that the military had left the National Assembly building. Thus, martial law only lasted for 3 hours.
North Korea has not yet responded to South Korea's move, while the White House said it is in contact with Seoul and closely monitoring the situation. The Chinese Embassy in Seoul warned its citizens in South Korea to remain calm, monitor developments, increase safety awareness, limit going out and be cautious when expressing political opinions.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thiet-quan-luat-chop-nhoang-han-quoc-cang-thang-185241204000943272.htm
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