South Korea's Six Hours of Martial Law

On Tuesday, out of nowhere, the incredibly unpopular and much disliked president of South Korea declared martial law.

 

Using ambiguous language, Yoon Suk Yeol (left) proclaimed the need to “protect the country from North Korean communists and eliminate anti-state elements” while stating a need to “rebuild and protect the country from falling into ruin”. Sending troops to blockade the National Assembly building as midnight approached, Yoon attempted to stop parliamentarians from interfering in his plans.

 

South Korea’s main opposition party, whose lawmakers jumped fences and tussled with security forces so they could vote to overturn the law, have demanded Yoon’s immediate resignation. Even the leader of Yoon’s own ruling party, the People Power Party described the order to declare martial law “tragic” and called for those involved to be held accountable. 

 

Following the president’s order, more than 280 troops, backed by 24 helicopters, had arrived at parliament to lock down the site. But 190 lawmakers defied the soldiers to force their way into parliament to vote to reverse the move.

 

While Yoon rescinded the declaration about six hours after it was issued following a unanimous vote in the National Assembly, protests continue around the parliament and the situation remains volatile, according to diplomatic officials.

 

In the meantime, South Korea’s top court have confirmed that they will review the legality of President Yoon’s short-lived martial law declaration, local media reported. Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Korea Cho Hee-dae told reporters that the judiciary would examine whether there had been any procedural irregularities in Yoon’s order. 

 

“The judiciary will ensure their role as the ultimate protector of the citizens’ rights and freedoms, and will work to alleviate any concerns about judicial independence and integrity”, Cho was quoted as saying by The Korea Herald.

 

Also, Police say they are investigating Yoon for alleged "insurrection".

 

The opposition tabled a motion to impeach Yoon on Wednesday. Voting on the motion is on Saturday, even as his partymates say they will oppose it. The opposition with 192 seats will need at least eight of the 108 ruling party MPs to back the motion so that it can be passed by a two-thirds majority of the 300-strong parliament. 

 

The impeachment motion against Yoon says he failed to meet the constitutional requirement that martial law should only be considered in wartime or a comparable severe crisis. It alleges he attempted a “self-coup” by mobilizing the military and that suspending political party activities and deploying troops to seal the National Assembly amounted to rebellion.

 

Protesters have gathered in the capital for a second day to call on Yoon to resign. Reflecting the country’s deeply polarized politics, hundreds of Yoon’s conservative supporters rallied in downtown Seoul on Thursday afternoon.

 

And Defence minister Kim Yong-hyun (right) has resigned. South Korean media have reported that it was him who urged Yoon to declare martial law. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho informed a parliamentary hearing yesterday that the decision to deploy troops at the National Assembly came from Kim.