South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol revoked the brief martial law he had imposed earlier this week, following a night of political tension. The move comes after a parliamentary vote rejected the military rule and troops were seen surrounding the parliament building.
President Yoon’s government withdrew military forces in a response to a bipartisan parliament vote against martial law. The martial law was officially lifted in a Cabinet meeting at 4:30 a.m., after being in effect for roughly six hours.
Why was martial law implemented in South Korea?
Late on Tuesday, President Yoon had pledged to eradicate elements he described as “anti-state”, as he grapples with an opposition that dominates the country’s parliament and he accuses of having sympathies with the communist North Korea.
In a televised address, Yoon stated that martial law would contribute to “rebuilding and safeguarding” the country from descending into a state of national collapse. He pledged to eliminate pro-North Korean elements and preserve the constitutional democratic order.
The South Korean constitution allows the president to declare martial law under circumstances of “war, war-like situations or other similar national emergency states” that necessitate the use of military force to uphold peace and order. It remains debatable whether South Korea is presently in such a state.
Enforcing martial law can lead to “special measures” that can limit press freedom, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of courts. The constitution also mandates that the president must comply when the National Assembly calls for the lifting of martial law with a majority vote.
In the wake of the declaration, the military in South Korea announced that parliament and other political gatherings that could lead to “social confusion” would be suspended. The military also instructed the country’s striking doctors to resume work within 48 hours.
President Yoon’s decision to enforce martial law, a move reminiscent of the authoritarian leaders of the 1980s, was swiftly denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party.
The situation in South Korea is being closely monitored internationally. A White House official revealed that President Biden, who is presently in Angola, has been briefed on the situation.
President Yoon, whose approval ratings have been declining recently, has had difficulties in pushing his agenda against an opposition-led parliament since taking office in 2022. His party has been in a deadlock with the liberal opposition over the budget bill for the coming year.
This is the first time martial law has been declared since the country’s democratization in 1987. The last instance of martial law in the country was in October 1979.
