Assembly speaker declares martial law as invalid

The opposition-led National Assembly's vote to revoke President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law has effectively lifted the declaration, Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said Wednesday. Woo chaired an Assembly plenary session that convened around 1 a.m. on Wednesday. The motion was passed after 190 members of the 300-member Assembly who were present at the session voted in favor of it. Of the 190 members, 172 were opposition lawmakers, while 18 were members of the ruling People Power Part

Dec. 4, 2024

Legal experts: Martial law 'clearly illegal,' violent enforcement punishable

Multiple legal experts characterized President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law as "clearly illegal" and "without justification" on social media posts and in conversation with The Korea Herald. The experts spoke on condition of anonymity due to the delicate nature of the situation. Legal scholars drew parallels to former President Chun Doo-hwan's nationwide martial law declaration on May 17, 1980, which led to the Gwangju Democratic Uprising and the milita

Dec. 4, 2024

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung calls martial law declaration 'unconstitutional'

Main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung issued a stern warning to those who comply with the President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law orders. Lee harshly criticized President Yoon’s decision to declare martial law, calling it “illegal and unconstitutional, with no practical prerequisites to justify such an extreme measure.” He further addressed the military and police, stating, “From this moment on, the president’s orders stemming from the illegal martial law declarat

Dec. 4, 2024

Presidential office press corps forced to leave

The presidential office press corps faced an eviction order from its building in Seoul, according to Park An-su, who led the headquarters of the Martial Law Command. The order came into effect as of 12:45 a.m. Wednesday. This was the latest result of President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Tuesday, which the opposition-controlled National Assembly claimed had a procedural fault and was deemed invalid.

Dec. 4, 2024

Cho Kuk says declaration of martial law 'illegal,' meets conditions for impeachment

Cho Kuk, leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, said early Wednesday that he believed President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law was "illegal," adding that it goes against the law and is a move that warrants the president's removal from office. "If President Yoon Suk Yeol does not comply with the National Assembly's resolution (to lift the emergency martial law), that would be considered both illegal and a criminal act," Rep. Cho told

Dec. 4, 2024

[From the Scene] Rush to get to National Assembly in first hours of martial law

In the hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared in South Korea at around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, chaos ensued west of Yeouido in central Seoul as lawmakers, aides and reporters rushed to get to the National Assembly. Soon after Yoon announced he would impose martial law, police squads began surrounding the gates of the legislature. At this point, people could enter at checkpoints if they presented their passes. Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Kim Byung-kee, running up flights of stairs, could be

Dec. 4, 2024

Martial law forces withdraw from parliament after nullification vote

Forces have completely withdrawn from South Korea's National Assembly building, the Speaker's office confirmed to local media early Wednesday morning. The withdrawal came shortly after the National Assembly voted unanimously to nullify President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law, with all 190 lawmakers present voting in favor at 1:01 a.m. Wednesday. Earlier footage showed soldiers breaking windows to enter the main parliamentary floor. Forces were positioned at the main e

Dec. 4, 2024

Assembly passes motion to revoke martial law

The opposition-led Assembly on Wednesday passed the motion to revoke the emergency martial law declaration made by President Yoon Suk Yeol, with all 190 lawmakers that were present voting in favor. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik convened an emergency plenary session on Wednesday, few hours after the president declared martial law. According to Korean law, the president is required to lift the declaration if the National Assembly requests it after a majority vote.

Dec. 4, 2024

What you need to know about South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol and political turmoil

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law on Tuesday, marking the first use of such powers since the country ended military rule in the 1980s. Here’s what you need to know about Yoon, his political opponents and the state of Korean politics. Yoon's low support rating Yoon, 63, a conservative leader, has passed the midpoint of his single, five-year term with approval ratings hovering around 25 percent, among the lowest for a South Korean president. His adm

Dec. 4, 2024

Seoul mayor voices opposition against martial law

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon voiced his opposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law late Tuesday. "I stand against martial law. The martial law declaration should be retracted," wrote Oh on his Facebook account. "As mayor, I will do everything in my power to preserve the daily lives of our citizens." According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's office, Oh conducted a meeting with high-ranking city government officials late Tuesday and emphasized

Dec. 4, 2024

Political gatherings banned, press put under military control

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol late Tuesday imposed martial law in the country, barring all forms of political gatherings and placing press under control of the military. The martial law came into effect as of 11 p.m. Tuesday. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who was named the martial law commander, issued a martial law decree and said all political activities including those of the National Assembly are banned. All press is subject to martial law control and all activities that contri

Dec. 4, 2024

Order issued for medical professionals to resume duties within 48 hours

Under the decree issued by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su that went into effect as of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, all medical professionals must resume their duties within 48 hours Those affected include striking intern and resident doctors opposing the government's quota hike in medical school admissions or those who have walked out of their medical roles. The decree came nearly an hour after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday. Medical professionals who fail to comply

Dec. 4, 2024

Martial law command issues sweeping nationwide restrictions

The newly established martial law command, led by Four-Star General Park An-soo, issued its first comprehensive decree Tuesday at 11 p.m., implementing immediate nationwide restrictions. The martial law command's decree outlines extensive controls on civil and political activities. The first provision prohibits all political activities by the National Assembly, provincial assemblies and political parties. Political gatherings and demonstrations are also banned. A second measure bans activit

Dec. 4, 2024

Assembly vote could revoke martial law

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a state of martial law late Tuesday night. However, it could be short-lived if the National Assembly, controlled by the opposition party, votes to revoke it. As soon as Yoon made the surprise move, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea swiftly mobilized to repeal the measure, although early reports said access to the National Assembly building was physically blocked under the emergency decree. Chairman Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party issued an emerg

Dec. 4, 2024

Government Complex Sejong closed after martial law declared

All doors to Government Complex Sejong have been closed following South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s emergency martial law declaration late Tuesday. “Starting from 11:40 p.m., all incoming vehicles (to Government Complex Sejong) are being denied entry,” a representative from the Government Buildings Management Office stated, according to local media reports. “Orders have been issued to keep all gates, including the main entrance, firmly closed under any circumstances.

Dec. 4, 2024

Foreign minister convenes senior meeting on martial law

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul has convened a senior officials' meeting concerning the declaration of martial law at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul. The announcement follows President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of emergency martial law during a surprise late-night TV address Tuesday. The emergency senior officials' meeting chaired by Cho commenced at 11:43 p.m. on Tuesday. A Foreign Ministry official in Seoul, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the min

Dec. 3, 2024

Justice Party lambasts Yoon's martial law declaration

In an emergency statement, the minor opposition Justice Party blasted Yoon's declaration of martial law, claiming that it breaches Article 77 of the country's Constitution. "President Yoon Suk Yeol must immediately withdraw the declaration of martial law. If not, the public will hold the president responsible for violating the Constitutional order. The Justice Party will never tolerate any actions that violate the Constitution," Kwon Young-guk, chief of the Justice Party, sai

Dec. 3, 2024

Full text of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's emergency martial law declaration

Below is the full translation of President Yoon Suk Yeol's statement issued on Tuesday, announcing the declaration of emergency martial law. The National Assembly has so far proposed 22 motions to impeach government officials since the inauguration of the administration, and since the launch of the 22nd National Assembly in June, it is pursuing the impeachment of its 10th individual. This is a situation that is unprecedented not only in any country in the world but also since the founding o

Dec. 3, 2024

'Is this happening in 2024?' South Koreans in panic, disbelief

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law Tuesday night, sending shock waves through the nation. Made near at 10:25 p.m., the announcement has left citizens and experts alike scrambling to understand its implications. According to South Korea’s Constitution and the Martial Law Act, emergency martial law can be declared during wartime, in cases of a major national emergency akin to war, or when public order is severely disrupted, rendering administrative and judici

Dec. 3, 2024

South Korea sees first martial law in over 40 years

Tuesday's declaration of martial law was the first by a South Korean president in over 40 years. South Korea has had a total of 17 martial law declarations so far since it was first imposed in Oct. 21, 1948. President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared martial law to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and to protect the constitutional order of freedom." Yoon labeled the opposition as "anti-state activities plotting rebellion," in the emergency televised address. Interim

Dec. 3, 2024