Martial Law Declared in South Korea Then Quickly Voted Down

Some dramatic events are taking place in Seoul, South Korea. As I write this it’s early Wednesday morning there. Tuesday night the country’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, gave a speech in which he argued the National Assembly had put the nation on the brink of collapse and declared martial law to stabilize the country. Here’s some of what he said on television Tuesday night.

Honorable citizens, as President, I appeal to you with a feeling of spitting blood.

Since the inauguration of our government, the National Assembly has initiated 22 impeachment motions against government officials, and since the inauguration of the 22nd National Assembly in June, it is pushing for the impeachment of 10 more. This is a situation that is not only unprecedented in any country in the world, but has never been seen since the founding of our country…

The legislative dictatorship of the Democratic Party, which uses even the budget as a means of political struggle, did not hesitate to impeach the budget. The government is paralyzed, and the people’s sighs are growing.

This trampling of the constitutional order of the free Republic of Korea and the disruption of legitimate state institutions established by the constitution and laws is an obvious anti-state act that plots insurrection. The lives of the people are of no concern, and the government is in a state of paralysis due to impeachment, special investigation, and the defense of the opposition leader…

The National Assembly, which should be the foundation of liberal democracy, has become a monster that collapses the liberal democracy system. Now, Korea is in a precarious situation where it would not be surprising if it collapsed immediately.

Dear citizens, I declare emergency martial law to defend the free Republic of Korea from the threats of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people and to protect the free constitutional order.

He goes on to say, “I will crush the anti-state forces and normalize the country as soon as possible.” The statement ends, “Please trust me. Thank you.”

Under South Korea’s constitution, the president is allowed to declare martial law in moments of extreme danger, such as a military attack on the country. But the leader of President Yeol’s own party has said he disagrees with the declaration of martial law in this case and will work to reverse it. Opposition party members have been gathering at the National Assembly but are not being allowed inside by members of the military.

In images broadcast by local networks, some demonstrators appeared to be trying to enter the building as police officers tried to block them.

“End martial law! End martial law!” protesters chanted…

Lee Jae-myung, the opposition leader, rejected Mr. Yoon’s reasoning.

“There is no reason to declare martial law. We cannot let the military rule this country,” Mr. Lee said. “President Yoon Seok Yeol has betrayed the people. President Yoon’s illegal declaration of emergency martial law is null and void.”

Here’s video of lawmakers scuffling with the military.

Total chaos in Seoul. Martial law can be overturned by simple majority vote of Parliament but the military is trying to prevent lawmakers from holding vote. Heavily armed security forces are holding back crowds outside while military smashes windows to get into the building pic.twitter.com/WougO6LeIs

— Drew Pavlou 🇦🇺🇺🇸🇺🇦🇹🇼 (@DrewPavlou) December 3, 2024

Eventually, they did get inside and voted to overturn the declaration.

Within two and a half hours of declaring martial law, South Korea’s demand for the lifting of martial law was passed. pic.twitter.com/c5XrayI7uW

— Tsla Chan (@Tslachan) December 3, 2024

This is a legal way to end martial law in South Korea and it seems that the military is standing down.

Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted with a majority vote in the parliament, where the opposition Democratic Party holds a majority…

All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. Television footage showed soldiers who had been stationed at parliament leaving the site after the vote.

Video as the military backs off.

WATCH: People celebrating after South Korea’s parliament blocks martial law and soldiers withdraw pic.twitter.com/K8GIbF98FV

— BNO News (@BNONews) December 3, 2024

This is obviously a constitutional crisis and things can change quickly. We’ll have to wait and see how the president reacts to having his declaration voted down by the same Assembly politicians he vowed to stop. There’s some speculation that impeachment proceedings will begin next.

Also, you have to wonder what North Korea’s dictator is making of all of this. So far they don’t seem to have done much of anything.