South Korea starts and quickly ends Martial Law

By
Eugene Abramoff
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0

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has announced martial law following an emergency night meeting, citing the “paralysis of government administration” amid impeachment attempts against him.

In a national address, Yoon declared his intent to safeguard South Korean democracy from “North Korean anti-state forces” and rebuild a “free and democratic society.”

President Yoon Suk Yeol: “Government administration has been paralyzed because of opposition party conduct.” “Through martial law, I will rebuild a free and democratic society.”

After the South Korean parliament rejected the short-lived martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol, protests erupted in the streets of Seoul outside government buildings.

Video: TASS/Reuters pic.twitter.com/Q9x3bCoeMO

— Malcolm X (@malcolmx653459) December 3, 2024

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Update (1115ET):

Well, that was exciting—some midnight political infighting in South Korea. As we noted earlier: "There is no actual emergency."

Now, the shortest emergency martial law in history appears to be over:

  • S. KOREA LAWMAKERS TO VOTE ON MARTIAL LAW LIFT

Followed by:

  • S. KOREA PARLIAMENT PASSES REQUEST OF MARTIAL LAW LIFT

  • SOUTH KOREAN PARLIAMENT VOTES TO BLOCK PRESIDENT'S MARTIAL LAW DECLARATION

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Moments ago, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, accusing the opposition party of engaging in anti-state activities. This is not a headline you see every day.

Here are the headlines via AFP News:

  • SOUTH KOREA'S YOON SAYS GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN PARALYZED BECAUSE OF OPPOSITION PARTY CONDUCTS

  • SOUTH KOREA'S YOON SAYS THROUGH MARTIAL LAW HE WILL REBUILD FREE AND DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY

AP News sheds more color on the situation:

President Yoon Suk Yeol made the announcement during a televised briefing, vowing to "eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order." It wasn't immediately clear how the steps would affect the country's governance and democracy.

Yoon — whose approval rating has dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022.

Yoon's conservative People Power Party had been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition Democratic Party over next year's budget bill. He has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals.

All of this is unfolding as President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating continues to slide…

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