1 month ago
34
December 4, 2024 | 02:12 am
TEMPO.CO, Seoul - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared martial law, vowing to eradicate "shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces" and restore order.
The parliament, surrounded by protesters and police, voted to lift the decree just hours later.
The following are what the Constitution and the Martial Law Act say about martial law, past instances of such moves in South Korea, and the events leading up to Yoon's late-night address.
THE LAW
South Korea's Constitution says the president can declare martial law when it is considered necessary to cope with a military threat or to maintain public safety and order by mobilising military forces.
The president's martial law declaration must be reviewed by the cabinet.
When martial law is declared by the president, they must notify the National Assembly of the decision. The president must comply when the National Assembly requests the lifting of martial law by a majority vote of members.
The martial law commander, appointed by the president on the recommendation of the defense minister among active-duty generals, has the power to take actions related to arrests of persons, search and seizure, speech and the press, and assembly.
The commander has authority over all administrative and judicial matters.
HISTORY
There have been more than a dozen instances of martial law declaration since South Korea was established as a republic in 1948. Many of the cases were triggered by democratic uprisings and when Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan, both military officers, staged military coups in 1961 and in 1980.
The last time, in 1980, a group of military officers led by Chun Doo-hwan forced then-president Choi Kyu-hah to proclaim martial law to crush calls by the opposition, labour and students for the restoration of democratic government.
YOON
Yoon, a career prosecutor who was elected in May 2022 by a margin of less than 1%, has been unpopular, with his support ratings hovering at around 20% for months.
His People Power Party (PPP) suffered a landslide defeat at a parliamentary election in April this year, ceding control of the unicameral assembly to opposition parties that captured nearly two-thirds of the seats.
Yoon has been under pressure as the Democratic Party repeatedly passed bills to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged wrongdoings by his wife, including allegations of stock price manipulation before Yoon's election.
Yoon has repeatedly vetoed the bills.
Last week, the Democratic Party pushed its revision of the government budget proposal through a committee slashing more than 4 trillion won from the government request, readying it for a vote by the full house.
The move angered the presidential office, whose spokeswoman called it a "parliamentary tyranny."
WHAT'S AHEAD?
The martial law command issued a six-point proclamation that bans all political activities, assembly and rallies and requires all news media and publishing to be under the control of the command.
The command has also ordered all trainee doctors who have resigned in protest at a government healthcare reform plan to report back to work.
REUTERS
Editor's Choice: 74 Years of Conflict: The Prospects of Peace Between North Korea and South Korea
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Starbucks Opens Branch Near Korean Demilitarized Zone, Visitors Can See North Korea
2 hari lalu
While sipping coffee, Starbucks customers can see the border heavily guarded by the South Korean military towards North Korea.
South Korea Battles Second Day of Heavy Snow; Five Dead
5 hari lalu
South Korea grappled with heavy snowfall for a second day, with dozens of flights canceled, ferry operations suspended, and at least five dead.
Ukraine's Defense Minister Visits South Korea to Request Weapons Aid, Media Reports Say
6 hari lalu
The delegation was expected to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as early as Wednesday.
South Korea Expressed Regret to Japan Over Memorial for Mine Workers
7 hari lalu
South Korea boycotted a memorial held by Japan on Sunday and held its own the following day.
South Korea and Malaysia Enhance Defense Cooperation
8 hari lalu
South Korea offers Malaysia a new fighter jet contract after North Korea and Russia strengthen defense cooperation.
North Korea's Kim Jong Un Demands Better Wartime Military Capabilities; May Send 100,000 Troops to Russia
15 hari lalu
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged the country's military to improve capabilities for fighting a war in a speech last week.
RE:HARVEST Launches Biodegradable Golf Tee for Environmental Sustainability
19 hari lalu
Seeing the problem of golf tee waste, RE:HARVEST introduces a new sustainable solution with the launch of the Malt Powder Golf Tee.
North Korea Ratifies Mutual Defense Treaty with Russia
21 hari lalu
North Korea has ratified a mutual defense treaty with Russia so they can come to each other's air in case of armed attacks.
South Korean President Apologizes for First Lady Controversy, Here Are Kim Keon Hee's Misdeeds
23 hari lalu
South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol, apologized to the public in a press conference regarding his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who was involved in several controversies.
Search for Indonesian and South Korean Crew Members Missing in Jeju Waters Continues
23 hari lalu
South Korea deploys 47 ships and five aircraft to conduct search operations in Jeju Waters until Saturday night.
