Why did the South Korean government back down after declaring martial law?
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol suddenly declared martial law in the country on state television on Tuesday night. But less than 24 hours later, he announced the lifting of martial law again. What was the reason behind this?
Various news about this has been published in various international media reports since yesterday. According to the sources of those reports, President Yoon Suk-yeol faced strong opposition from South Korean parliamentarians. That is why he announced the lifting of the martial law order less than a day later.
Immediately after the vote in parliament on this matter, President Yoon Suk-yeol said, “I will accept the parliament’s decision to end martial law. This law will be lifted after the cabinet meeting.”
He said, “In light of the parliament’s demands, I have informed the military about the lifting of martial law. The cabinet is meeting to adopt the parliament’s proposal and move forward with the lifting of martial law. Martial law will be lifted after the meeting.’
Earlier, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in the country without any prior announcement on Tuesday midnight local time. He announced the imposition of martial law in a late-night address to the nation on state television channel YTN.
In the sudden announcement of martial law, President Yoon Suk-yeol said, ‘I had no choice but to take steps to impose martial law to maintain liberal and constitutional order. The opposition parties have taken the parliamentary process hostage and plunged the country into crisis.
Then he announced, “I am declaring martial law to protect the Republic of Korea from the threat of the communist forces of the North, to eliminate the hateful pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are robbing the people of their freedom and happiness, and to protect the liberal constitution.”
However, since that night, South Korean MPs have not accepted the president’s order to impose martial law. In addition to the tension surrounding the country’s parliament after the imposition of martial law, protesters were seen taking positions outside the parliament in protest of this decision. They were also heard shouting slogans demanding the arrest of the president. At one point, the army was also seen entering the parliament building.
In such a situation, 190 lawmakers entered the parliament last night, avoiding security forces, and they voted against the imposition of martial law.
It is worth noting that the imposition of martial law continues the rule of the country’s military authorities during the emergency and normal civil rights are suspended.
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