South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted the martial law early Wednesday, hours following he imposed it on the country. The law was formally lifted at 04:30 am, according to the media reports. Yoon said, “Dear respected citizens, last night at 11 pm, I declared martial law with a firm resolve to protect the country from anti-state forces that were attempting to paralyze the essential functions of the state and collapse the constitutional order of liberal democracy. However, just a moment ago, the parliament demanded the lifting of the martial law, so I have ordered the withdrawal of the military forces deployed for this purpose.”
The martial law remained in effect for six hours, with South Korea witnessing a tense night of political drama. Troops surrounded the Parliament, and lawmakers voted to reject the military rule. Late Tuesday, Yoon imposed martial law, pledging to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggled to push forward his agenda in the opposition-dominated parliament and accused it of ‘sympathising with North Korea.’
Following this decision, South Korea’s main opposition, the Democratic Party, called for Yoon’s immediate resignation or face impeachment. The Democratic Party said in a statement, “President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was a clear violation of the constitution. It didn’t abide by any requirements to declare it”.
Meanwhile, the United Nations, the United States and Russia also issued statements reacting to the recent developments in South Korea.
In a surprising televised address, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law, promising to eliminate “anti-state” activities that were destabilising the government. This marked to be the first time martial law declared in the country since its democratisation in 1987. The country’s previous martial law was imposed in October 1979. According to South Korean President Yoon, he framed martial law stating it to be a necessary response to protect the liberal democracy of the country and counter threats from North Korea. This comes as Yoon’s party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill.
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