South Korean President Yoon Declares Martial Law, Troops Storm Parliament

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South Korea is facing an unprecedented political upheaval after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, accusing opposition leaders of aligning with North Korea. The dramatic move, announced in a late-night televised address on December 3, 2024, has sent shockwaves through the nation, sparking fierce resistance and international concern.

In his address, Yoon claimed the opposition had paralyzed the government through “anti-state activities” and accused them of taking the parliamentary process hostage. He vowed to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces” to protect South Korea’s constitutional democracy. However, his actions have raised alarms about the erosion of democratic freedoms.

On December 4, troops attempted to storm the National Assembly to enforce the martial law declaration. Live footage showed parliamentary aides using fire extinguishers to repel soldiers, highlighting the deepening standoff. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung condemned the move as “illegal and unconstitutional,” while Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s conservative party, openly criticized the decision.

This martial law bans political activities, protests, and media operations, stoking fears of authoritarianism in a country that transitioned to democracy in the late 20th century. Critics liken this to South Korea’s 1972 Yushin Constitution under Park Chung-hee, which curtailed freedoms under the guise of national security.

Yoon’s justification hinges on the need to safeguard constitutional order, though he provided no evidence of a direct North Korean threat. Instead, he focused on domestic opponents, deepening divides in South Korea’s fragile political landscape.

International reactions have been swift, with foreign leaders urging South Korea to uphold democratic norms. Protests are mounting across the nation, while the National Assembly has voted to revoke martial law. The situation remains tense, with the potential for further clashes.

Sources:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/south-korea-declaring-martial-law-explained-what-we-know/ar-AA1vcvNv

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/south-koreas-president-yoon-declares-martial-law/ar-AA1vcMhK

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/south-korean-president-yoon-suk-yeol-declares-martial-law-live-on-tv/ar-AA1vcTwN

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/south-korean-president-declares-emergency-martial-law-says-opposition-sides-with-north-korea

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_South_Korean_martial_law

https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-yoon-martial-law-997c22ac93f6a9bece68454597e577c1

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/3/south-koreas-president-declares-emergency-martial-law

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/south-korea-president-yoon-declares-134031360.html

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/12/03/south-korea-martial-law/?s=35