Earlier today, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law for the first time since 1980, citing the threat of “shameless pro-North Korean” elements of Korea’s Democratic Party overthrowing the Republic of Korea.
In the televised announcement, Yoon said all political activities are prohibited, and media publications are subject to government control. The order went into effect at 11:00 p.m. Korean Standard Time:
In order to protect liberal democracy from the threat of overthrowing the regime of the Republic of Korea by anti-state forces active within the Republic of Korea and to protect the safety of the people, the following is hereby declared throughout the Republic of Korea as of 23:00 on December 3, 2024:
1. All political activities, including the activities of the National Assembly, local councils, and political parties, political associations, rallies and demonstrations, are prohibited.
2. All acts that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system are prohibited, and fake news, public opinion manipulation, and false propaganda are prohibited.
3. All media and publications are subject to the control of the Martial Law Command.
4. Strikes, work stoppages and rallies that incite social chaos are prohibited.
5. All medical personnel, including trainee doctors, who are on strike or have left the medical field must return to their jobs within 48 hours and work faithfully. Those who violate will be punished in accordance with the Martial Law.
6. Innocent ordinary citizens, excluding anti-state forces and other subversive forces, will be subject to measures to minimize inconvenience in their daily lives.
Violators of the above proclamation may be arrested, detained, and searched without a warrant in accordance with Article 9 of the Martial Law Act of the Republic of Korea (Special Measures Authority of the Martial Law Commander), and will be punished in accordance with Article 14 of the Martial Law Act (Penalties). Martial Law Commander, Army General Park An-su, Tuesday, December 3, 2024.
In response, South Korean opposition party members called the declaration a “coup d’état,” and called on Yoon to lift the order. Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted by South Korea’s 300-seat National Assembly with a majority vote. Of the 300 unicameral assembly members, 190 lawmakers participated in a vote to lift the martial law declaration, unanimously voting 190-0 against President Yoon’s declaration.
