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State of war in South Korea / Why did the country suddenly plunge into a terrible crisis?

2024-12-03 19:52:00, Kosova & Bota Frances Mao dhe Jake Kwon

State of war in South Korea / Why did the country suddenly plunge into a

Under mounting political pressure, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday night declared a state of curfew in the democratic country for the first time in more than 50 years.

His late-night statement, made on national television at 11pm local time, cited national security and the threat from North Korea, but it soon became clear that Yoon had taken the drastic action in response to a series of setbacks. political.

He went so far as to impose martial law - temporary rule by the military - as a tactic to fend off political attacks, observers say.

But it sparked immediate protests outside parliament and lawmakers voted against the measure within hours, saying it was illegal.

How did we get to this point?

After referring to political attacks by the opposition, President Yoon said he was declaring martial law to "suppress anti-state forces that are causing chaos".

South Korea's president declares a state of emergency
December 3, 17:49

This put the military in charge of the country - bringing the deployment of military and police troops to parliament, where helicopters were seen landing on the roof of the National Assembly.

The military also issued a statement stating that all gatherings by parliament and political organizations would be banned, while media releases would also be under military control.

But South Korea's political opposition immediately called Yoon's statement illegal and unconstitutional. The leader of Yoon's own party, the conservative People's Power Party, also called his move a "wrong move."

State of war in South Korea / Why did the country suddenly plunge into a

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

Meanwhile, main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called on his Democratic Party lawmakers to gather in parliament to vote against the decision.

He also called on ordinary South Koreans to show up at parliament in protest.

"Tanks, armored personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and bayonets will rule the country... My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly."

Hundreds of citizens rushed to gather outside the heavily armored parliament. Crowds of protesters chanted: "No to curfew! No to martial law."

Local media reported several clashes between protesters and police at the gates of the parliament. But despite the heavy military presence, tensions did not escalate into violence.

And the lawmakers were also able to get through the barricades to enter the plenary hall.

Shortly after 1 a.m. local time on Wednesday, South Korea's parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, voted against the measure. President Yoon's declaration of martial law was declared invalid.

How important is martial law?

Martial law is a temporary rule by military authorities in a time of emergency, when civilian authorities are deemed unable to function.

The last time it was declared in South Korea was in 1979, when the country's then-military dictator Park Chung-hee was assassinated in a coup.

Park Chung-hee

It has never been called since the country became a parliamentary democracy in 1987.

But on Tuesday, Yoon put it down again, saying in a national address that he was trying to save South Korea from "anti-state forces."

Yoon, who has taken a significantly tougher stance on North Korea than his predecessors, described the political opposition as North Korean sympathizers - without providing any evidence.

Under martial law, additional powers are given to the military and there is often a suspension of civil rights for citizens and the standards and protections of the rule of law.

What has ignited the opposition?

Yoon was voted into office in May 2022 but has been a 'limp' president since April, when the opposition took a landslide in the country's general election.

His government has since been unable to pass the bills it wanted and has instead been reduced to vetoing bills passed by the opposition.

He has also seen a drop in popularity among voters after being embroiled in several corruption scandals — including one involving the First Lady, who accepted a Dior bag, and another about stock manipulation.

Just last month, he was forced to apologize on national television, saying he was creating an office to oversee the First Lady's duties. But he rejected a wider investigation, which the opposition parties had demanded.

Then this week, the opposition proposed budget cuts for his government - and budget bills cannot be vetoed.

At the same time, the opposition demanded the dismissal of several cabinet members and several senior prosecutors - including the head of the government's audit agency - for failing to investigate the First Lady.

What is expected now?

Yoon's statement caught many by surprise – and the situation has rapidly escalated in recent hours.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

The opposition was able to rally quickly in parliament and had the numbers to vote against the declaration of martial law.

And despite the large presence of troops and police in the capital, a control by the army does not seem to have taken place.

Under South Korean law, the government must lift martial law if a majority in parliament asks for it in a vote.

The same law also prohibits the military command from arresting lawmakers.

It is unclear what happens now. Some of the protesters gathered outside the assembly on Tuesday night had also chanted: "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol."

But President Yoon's rash action has shocked the country - which sees itself as a thriving modern democracy that has changed a lot since the days of dictatorship.

This is being seen as the biggest challenge to that democratic society in decades.

As the speaker of parliament said on Wednesday: "We will defend democracy together with the people"./ BBC