South Korea is witnessing a severe political crisis. The president imposes martial law and Parliament rejects it. What is happening?

South Korea is witnessing the largest political crisis in decades, as Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced… Martial law was imposed in the country, but the Korean Parliament quickly rejected it, which led to an escalation of tension in the country.

 

In the following lines we monitor these events:

 

10:30 p.m.:

On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yeon Suk-yeol declared a state of emergency in an unannounced nationwide address at 10:30 p.m., South Korean time, indicating the need to protect the country by “North Korean communist forces.” And “anti-state forces”, rebuild and protect South Korea from falling into ruin.

 

He also decided to withdraw the martial law command forces, and hold a cabinet meeting as soon as possible.

 

Since the news spread, police cars barricaded the front gate of the National Assembly, while dozens of armed soldiers entered the The building.

 

 Martial law forces forcibly entered the main building of the National Assembly by smashing the window.

 

The martial law leader and army chief of staff was Park An-soo. had earlier issued "Martial Law Command Proclamation (No. 1)" Declaring that all political activities, including the operations of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, political associations, gatherings and protests are prohibited.

 

One o’clock in the morning:

 

The National Assembly (Parliament) issued a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law, in the presence of 190 members out of 300, all of whom voted in favor Abolition of martial law, at 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, South Korean time.

 

Under Article 77 of the South Korean Constitution, when the Assembly requests National, with the approval of the majority of its members, lift martial law, the President must comply.

 

A few minutes:

 

Twelve minutes after the decision was issued, the soldiers withdrew near the third gate of the National Assembly, and approximately Of 2,000 citizens in front of the main gate chanting “Long live the Republic of Korea.”

 

According to what Yonhap News Agency reported, the South Korean Cabinet early on Wednesday rejected the provisions. Martial.

 

The Korean President’s reaction:

 

 

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Wednesday that he would lift the sudden declaration of martial law. Which he imposed a few hours ago, retreating from a confrontation with Parliament, which strongly rejected his attempt to ban political activity and impose censorship on the media, before five in the morning.

 

The position of the opposition forces towards the president:

 

The opposition forces in South Korea called on the Korean president to explain the step that led to unrest in the country, and the "Democratic" The main opponent of Yoon, who has been in office since 2022, must resign or face impeachment.

 

Park Chan-dae, a senior member of parliament for the party, said Democratic Party, in a statement: “Even if martial law is lifted, he cannot avoid accusations of treason. It has been clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon can no longer run the country normally,” adding: "He must step down".

 

The clash between Parliament and the President… 22 impeachment attempts 

 

 

Since Yoon took office in May 2022, There were 22 attempts to isolate Parliament, and the clash between them is not new.

 

Last week, the opposition-led National Assembly reduced the government’s budget for next year and began procedures to remove the head of the parliament. The government audit and the South Korean prosecutor general, which led to a new escalation between the president and parliament, so the president declared martial law.

 

 

Many disputes with President Yoon:

 

 

President Yeom had many disputes in his capacity as former prosecutor, which led to The conviction and imprisonment of a former leader of his party, Park Geun-hye, after her removal as president. He also specialized in corruption cases, and also pursued another former president and the head of Samsung.

 

During Running for office, Yoon sharply criticized his former boss, progressive President Moon Jae-in, for meeting with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, and called for intensified military exercises and strict enforcement of sanctions on the North. 

 

Yeon said during the campaign: “Peace is meaningless unless it is backed by force,” adding, “War can only be avoided when we gain the ability to launch preemptive strikes.” And we show our willingness to use it.”

 

According to what the American New York Times reported, this approach “won applause in Washington, where the Biden administration was happy with South Korea’s closer alliance with American positions as a bulwark against China. But this did little for him at home, where he was trapped in a perpetual war with the opposition even as the domestic challenges he faced escalated, and the perception of South Korea exerting influence as a key US ally in Asia. p>

Washington’s position on these events :

 

In this regard, the US State Department confirmed that there has been no change in the level of readiness of the US Armed Forces due to the events in South Korea. , where a state of emergency and martial law were declared.

 

The Deputy Spokesman for the US State Department, Vedant Patel, said: During a press conference on Tuesday: “There is no change to our combat readiness.”

 

This comes after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced the imposition of martial law in the country. “To protect the constitutional system,” accusing the opposition of intending to remove a number of officials and isolate the president, accusing the opposition of being “opposition forces.” For the state".

 

Is martial law declared in South Korea for the first time?

 

 

No, but… this is the first time In which martial law has been declared since 1980 when “Chun Doo Hwan” implemented A military coup after the assassination of President Park Chung It is in 1979.

 

 

The history of South Korea with martial law:

 

 

The history of South Korea has been accustomed to martial law since ancient times, and the city of Seoul witnessed 16 declarations of martial law since the founding of South Korea in 1948.

 

 Under Article 77 of the South Korean Constitution, The President can declare martial law in response to war, accidents, or national emergencies.

 

By declaring a state of emergency, the President can restrict freedom of expression, publication, media, assembly, and association and implement special changes In the authority of governments or courts and the search warrant system in accordance with the provisions of relevant laws.

 

• For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and