Martial Law, Then A Reversal: How Chaos Unfolded In South Korea

 

                              Thousands of protesters took to the streets after South Korean President declared martial law

Martial Law, Then A Reversal: How Chaos Unfolded In South Korea

In a startling late-night televised speech to the public on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea imposed emergency martial law.

On Tuesday evening, South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol startled the nation by announcing martial law, only to retract it just hours later when legislators resisted security forces to vote against his proclamation, and thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets.

In a dramatic late-night television address directed at the nation on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk Yeol proclaimed emergency martial law, citing "threats" emanating from North Korea and criticizing the principal opposition party in South Korea. This marked the first instance of such a declaration in the East Asian country since 1980. During the national address, President Yoon stated, "To protect a liberal South Korea from the dangers posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eradicate anti-state elements that are undermining the freedom and well-being of the populace, I hereby declare emergency martial law."

He also lambasted the principal opposition Democratic Party, which controls a majority in the 300-seat assembly, accusing them of "paralyzing" the government solely for the purposes of "impeachments, special investigations, and shielding their leader from facing justice.” Nevertheless, within six hours of his announcement, President Yoon rescinded the martial law declaration. "Just moments ago, the National Assembly called for the state of emergency to be lifted, and we have withdrawn the military personnel deployed for martial law activities," he remarked in a televised address.

The Democratic Party demanded that Yoon, aged 63 and elected president in 2022, resign immediately following the attempted “insurrection.” The party further stated that it would initiate impeachment proceedings against him unless he stepped down "immediately." South Korea's leading labor union group declared an “indefinite general strike” until Yoon resigned, denouncing the measures as "irrational and anti-democratic." Yoon’s People Power Party, which experienced a significant defeat during the recent parliamentary elections in April, has handed control of the unicameral assembly to opposition factions that now hold nearly two-thirds of the seats.

 They labeled his actions as "tragic" and insisted that those responsible be held accountable. Initially, the United States, which has approximately 30,000 troops stationed in South Korea to shield it from North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, expressed "grave concern" over the developments, later stating its "relief" at President Yoon's decision to reverse his "deeply concerning" martial law order. China, a significant ally of North Korea, advised its citizens to proceed with caution. Additionally, Russia, which maintains close ties with Pyongyang, described the situation as "alarming."

 The martial law declaration followed a recent decline in Yoon’s approval ratings, as many voiced their discontent regarding his economic management and controversies surrounding his spouse, Kim Keon Hee. 

The Democratic Party insisted that 63-year-old Yoon - who became president in 2022 - resign immediately in light of the attempted "insurrection." Additionally, the party announced it would commence impeachment proceedings against him unless he resigned "immediately." South Korea's primary labor union coalition also proclaimed an "indefinite general strike" until his resignation in response to the "irrational and anti-democratic measure." Yoon's People Power Party, which experienced a significant defeat in the parliamentary elections in April of this year, resulting in opposition parties gaining nearly two-thirds control of the unicameral assembly, labeled his actions as "tragic" and demanded accountability for those implicated.

 The United States, which maintains approximately 30,000 troops in South Korea to safeguard it from the nuclear-capable North, initially remarked that it was observing the situation with "grave concern," later expressing "relief" that President Yoon has retracted his "concerning" martial law declaration. China, a crucial ally of North Korea, advised its citizens to remain cautious. Russia, which also shares close ties with Pyongyang, described the situation as "alarming." The implementation of martial law followed a recent decline in Yoon's approval ratings, with many voicing dissatisfaction regarding his management of the economy and controversies surrounding his spouse, Kim Keon Hee.

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