Within hours of the martial law announcement, the parliament held an emergency session, with Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring the decree “invalid”.
South Korea woke up to relief after a dramatic night as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government announced the lifting of martial law early Wednesday, reversing the emergency decree imposed just hours earlier. The decision to end the martial law came after a tense night of political upheaval, with troops surrounding the National Assembly in an attempt to quash opposition to the president’s controversial move.
The declaration, which lasted less than six hours, was formally rescinded during a Cabinet meeting at around 4:30 am, following a unanimous vote by lawmakers in the National Assembly to reject it. Following the vote to lift martial law, the opposition was emboldened, with some members from Yoon’s own People Power Party (PPP) siding with the rejection.
The martial law decree allowed for the suspension of political gatherings, curbed press freedoms, and granted the military powers to arrest individuals without warrants. The declaration, which harkened back to South Korea’s authoritarian past in the 1980s, sparked immediate protests and widespread condemnation.
Opposition leaders in South Korea have demanded the resignation of the President and demonstrations are going on outside South Korea’s National Assembly for the same. According to the president’s office, the chief of staff and more than 10 senior secretaries to the president have submitted their resignations, CNN reported. President Yeol has yet to respond to the resignation calls.
South Korean Parliament declares martial law invalid
The National Assembly acted quickly to overrule the president. Within hours of the martial law announcement, the parliament held an emergency session, with Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring the decree “invalid” and pledging that lawmakers would protect democracy. In a rare bipartisan vote, all 190 lawmakers present voted to lift the martial law, sending a strong message of unity and defiance against Yoon’s decision.
“Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military,” AP quoted Speaker Woo, who referred to the historical context of the situation.
The lifting of martial law was formalized in a Cabinet meeting early the next morning, with troops and police officers seen departing the parliament grounds after the vote.
Opposition protests, demand Yoon’s resignation or impeachment
The decision to impose martial law has led to a significant backlash from the opposition, particularly the liberal Democratic Party (DP), which holds the majority in the National Assembly. The DP has now called for Yoon’s immediate resignation or impeachment, describing the martial law declaration as a “grave violation of the constitution” and an act of rebellion. “President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was a clear violation of the constitution,” the DP said in a statement.
To initiate impeachment proceedings, the opposition would need support from two-thirds of the parliament, or at least 200 members of the 300-seat National Assembly.
Meanwhile, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which has more than a million members also announced earlier in the morning that its members will go on a general indefinite strike until the President resigns. “We will fight alongside the people, leading the way for the immediate resignation of Yoon Suk Yeol. KCTU members will stop working according to the strike guidelines, call for the resignation of Yoon Suk Yeol for treason, and conduct nationwide emergency actions for social reform and the realization of popular sovereignty,” South Korea’s Yonhap news agency quoted KCTU’s statement.
US reacts to the situation
The United States government expressed “serious concern” over the martial law declaration. A White House spokesperson said that the US was not notified in advance of Yoon’s decision. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 US service members based in South Korea.
The White House reaffirmed its commitment to the US-South Korea alliance, with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell calling it "ironclad" and reaffirming US support for South Korea in its time of uncertainty.
Why was martial law imposed in South Korea?
President Yeol’s decision to impose martial law at around 11 pm (local time) on December 3 came as a response to a growing political crisis. Faced with a legislature dominated by opposition forces, the president sought to assert control and eliminate what he described as “anti-state” elements within the government. Yoon accused the opposition of sympathizing with North Korea and obstructing his legislative agenda, including efforts to impeach key government officials and block the next year’s budget bill.
During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens.” He did not elaborate on his statement. North Korea has not responded to the situation yet.
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Yeol’s decision followed growing tensions between the ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP) and the opposition Democratic Party (DP), which holds the majority in the 300-seat National Assembly.