South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an “emergency martial law” in a surprise televised address. Yoon said the measure was necessary due to the actions of the country’s opposition accused of controlling Parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government, writes AbcNews. Yoon explained that the measure was necessary to protect the country from “North Korean communist forces” in a heated parliamentary debate over the budget. After the announcement, the TVs showed live images of helicopters landing on the roof of Parliament.
The National Assembly South Korean has voted to block the statement of martial law with a large majority vote: 190 in favor out of 300 (the opposition party has 170 seats). By law, the president must comply. South Korean deputies gathered in parliament voted unanimously to block the decree. Of the 300 members of the National Assembly, 190 were present to vote in the night session called in the midst of the emergency. All 190 voted to block the move. “The President should immediately lift the emergency martial law following the vote of the National Assembly. Now, the declaration of emergency martial law is invalid,” said Woo Won-sik, speaker of the National Assembly. “The people should… rest assured. The National Assembly will defend democracy with the people.”
Opposition MPs approved, through a committee, a significantly reduced budget program last week. “Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyze the administrative and judicial system and overthrow our liberal democratic order,” Yoon said.
Yoon accused opposition politicians of having cut “all budgets essential to the nation’s primary functions, namely fighting drug-related crime and maintaining public safety (…) turning the country into a drug paradise and in a place of public safety chaos.” Yoon then described the opposition, which holds a majority in parliament, as “anti-state forces intent on overthrowing the regime.” He assured the public that his decision was “inevitable”. “I will bring normality to the country by getting rid of these anti-state forces as soon as possible,” the South Korean president added.
As martial law commander Park An-su explained in a statement, in the country they are all political activities are prohibited and the media will be subject to government monitoring. “All political activities, including those of the National Assembly, of local councils, political parties and political associations, as well as assemblies and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited,” he said. “All media and publications will be subject to the control of the Martial Law Command,” he added.
The Farnesina to the Italians: caution when traveling
“President Yoon declared martial law on December 3, 2024. Political activities and gatherings are thus prohibited. Clashes between the army and protesters have been recorded in the Parliament area. Possible disruptions to the internet connection are reported. Our compatriots are advised of the utmost be careful when traveling, avoid gatherings and demonstrations and follow the instructions of the local authorities”, writes the Farnesina’s ‘Viaggiaresicuri’ website for South Korea. For emergencies, the Italian Embassy in Seoul can be reached at +821022420491.