President Yoon Suk Yeol has accused the opposition of plotting a βrebellionβ
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed emergency martial law on Tuesday, accusing the opposition, which is sympathetic to the North, of βanti-stateβactivities.
βThe martial law is aimed at eradicating pro-North Korean forces and to protect the constitutional order of freedom,β Yoon said.
According to the Yonhap news agency, the Defense Ministry has put the military on full alert. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has slammed the move as βunconsitutional.”
The development comes as the Democratic Party shot down Yoonβs 2025 budget bill last week and has been calling for probes into several scandals surrounding the presidentβs wife and senior officials.
Update:Β 07:04Β Β ESTΒ 04-12-24
Just In: The leader of President Yoonβs own conservative People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, has called the decision to impose martial law βwrongβ and pledged to βstop it along with the people.β
Just In: Footage circulating on social media appears to show police clashing with civilians and members of the national assembly who are unable to enter the building.
Just In: US says it is in contact with South Korean govβt, monitoring events closely.
Just In: Military helicopters have reportedly taken to the skies over Seoul.
Just In: Videos from social media show clashes taking place near the parliament’s building.
Just In: The commander of the martial law in South Korea has announced the suspension of parliament and political parties. Additionally, he declared the imposition of control over all media outlets following the suspension of parliament and political parties in the country.
Just In: According to Yonhap news agency, in addition to a ban on all parliamentary activity, all media and publishers are also subject to the martial law command.
Just In: National Assembly votes to demand lifting of martial law.
Just In: Defence minister calls on military to βstrengthen readinessβ
Just In: National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik claims that all soldiers stationed at the National Assembly have left.
Just In: Seoul police declare βLevel Two Emergency βWeβre getting reports that Seoul police have declared a βLevel Two Emergencyβ across 31 precincts.
Just In: Chinaβs embassy tells its citizens βto remain calmβ The Chinese embassy in Seoul has urged its citizens to exercise βcautionβ after the imposition of martial law.
Just In: Martial law declared “invalid” by National Assembly chairman after unanimous vote
Just In: Youngshik Bong, a visiting professor at Yonsei University and an adviser for South Koreaβs Ministry of Unification, says declarations of martial law under Article 77 of the constitution must be reserved for the most serious situations, such as actual war.
Just In: Lawmakers are still waiting to hear from President Yoon two hours after they voted to lift his martial law decree. Of the National Assemblyβs 300 members, the 190 who were present in the building voted to overturn the measure at close to 1am.
Just In: Yoon says martial law will be revoked following cabinet meeting We have more from Yoonβs statement, announcing that he will abide by the National Assembly vote to end his martial law order.
Just In: South Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun has announced that he is taking responsibility for the recent declaration of martial law in the country, and will be tendering his resignation.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared emergency martial law, accusing the opposition of treason and collusion with North Korea.
— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) December 3, 2024
Under the sweeping measures, violators can be arrested without warrants, and habeas corpus has been suspended.
Lawmakers have been⦠pic.twitter.com/jqrWqZIgTJ
LIVE: View from Seoul as South Korean president declares martial law
