In South Korea, on December 3 at 8:35 PM IST, President Eun Suk Yeol announced a state of emergency, i.e. the imposition of martial law. Demonstrations started across the country against this, under pressure the President said at around 1:30pm – the army has been recalled. There will be a cabinet meeting soon, in which we will take a decision to lift the emergency.
The President imposed a state of emergency accusing the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and engaging in anti-national activities. After this announcement, the entire opposition reached the National Assembly in no time. By the time the military arrived to capture the Assembly, they had already started the Parliament's proceedings. There were thousands of supporters of opposition parties outside.
The army started breaking the windows of the parliament to enter. Many opposition MPs were detained. Helicopters and military tanks were deployed above Parliament. But, by the time the troops arrived, 190 of the 300 MPs in the National Assembly rejected the president's martial law proposal.
After Speaker Woo Won Sik's announcement, the army stopped the action. However, the army said martial law would remain in force until the president announced its lifting.
The army has taken over the National Assembly.
Ban on rallies, ban on broadcasting after martial law
- All political activities including the National Assembly, local councils and political parties, political associations, rallies and demonstrations will be banned.
- Fake news, public opinion and false propaganda will be banned.
- All media and publications will be under the control of Martial Law Command.
- Action will be taken against strike and stoppage of work.
- All medical personnel, including trainee doctors, who are on strike or have left the medical field must return to their jobs within 48 hours. You have to work honestly. Violators will be punished according to martial law.
Security forces restraining opposition MPs in the National Assembly.
Reason for imposing martial law in South Korea…5 points
- This is the first time martial law has been declared in South Korea since the 1980s. Martial law has been imposed 16 times before 1980.
- Martial law has been imposed in the country at a time when the government and the opposition in Parliament are at odds over the budget bill. President Yun's People's Power Party is in power until May 2022. The opposition Democratic Party is opposing the policies of the government.
- The National Assembly elections earlier this year gave the opposition a massive mandate. In such a situation, President Yoon did not have much power and President Yoon was not able to pass the law. Yun is forced to veto the bill.
- Ratings have continued to decline due to the number of scandals involving President Yun and his wife. Yun's wife was also accused of stock manipulation and the opposition began demanding an investigation.
- According to an AFP report, the opposition demanded the impeachment of President Yoon on charges of abuse of power. The opposition says the President wants to avoid impeachment by imposing martial law.
People demonstrated after martial law was declared.
Constitutional provision regarding emergency
- Article 77 of South Korea's constitution calls for the declaration of martial law in the country, but rules have been set for its implementation.
- Article 77 states that Emergency should be imposed only when there is a need for troops or a situation to face war.
- During emergencies, the army has been given special powers to maintain law and order in public places. The military is dependent on the President for its orders.
- It is mandatory to pass a resolution in Parliament to lift emergency. The motion will be considered passed only if more than half of the MPs agree to lift the emergency.
America said – South Korea was not informed about the emergency before.
A statement was released by the White House Security Council on Tuesday night. It was said that the South Korean government did not inform about the crisis in advance. We want South Korea to follow its laws. We want to see these political disputes resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
