South Korea Marshal Law: The military announced that political activities of Parliament and political parties would be restricted, and the media and publishers would operate under the control of the Martial Law Command.
On the night of December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk-yeol shocked South Korea by declaring martial law. This unprecedented move led to attempts by soldiers to enter the Parliament, sparking protests from lawmakers and demonstrators. It marked the most severe challenge to South Korea’s democracy since the 1980s.
The Speaker of Parliament declared the martial law decree invalid, and lawmakers quickly voted to reject it. However, the South Korean military stated that martial law would remain in effect unless President Yoon ordered its withdrawal, escalating tensions further.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung condemned the imposition of martial law as unconstitutional and warned that obeying such orders would constitute a breach of the law. Lee emphasized that under current circumstances, the declaration of martial law lacked legal validity.
Within two and a half hours of the announcement, 190 members of the National Assembly voted to revoke martial law. Despite this, thousands of South Koreans took to the streets to protest the move. The situation worsened by midnight, forcing the deployment of tanks in urban areas as President Yoon refused to back down.
The British government has urged its citizens to avoid demonstrations in South Korea and stated that it is closely monitoring the situation. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer advised British nationals to follow updates on travel advisories and adhere to local authorities’ guidance.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung reiterated that orders issued under martial law by President Yoon and military commanders were illegal. He emphasized that compliance with such directives would put individuals in violation of the law, stating, “Martial law imposed under these circumstances is invalid. Following these orders is against the law.”
Lee’s remarks have added to the already escalating political tension in South Korea, with opposition parties accusing the administration of undermining democratic principles. He urged the military and citizens to prioritize the rule of law and warned against the misuse of emergency powers by the government.
The Martial Law Command, led by Commander Park, issued directives banning activities deemed to threaten the liberal democratic system. These include the dissemination of fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda, further inflaming the controversy.
The political climate in South Korea remains fraught as opposition leaders challenge the administration’s actions and policies, framing them as a threat to the country’s democratic framework.
