South Korea's Yoon Declares Martial Law in Emergency Address

[Eugene]

9. South Korean MPs defy president's declaration of martial law as crowds gather

South Korean MPs defy president’s declaration of martial law as crowds gather (The Guardian)

South Korea’s National Assembly has voted to block an attempt by the president, Yoon Suk Yeol, to declare martial law, leaving the future of his emergency measure unclear as protesters and armed forces gathered in Seoul.

There was jubilation outside the National Assembly building late on Tuesday night where hundreds of people had gathered to witness armed forces enter the building as lawmakers sat in the legislature to hold an emergency session to block Yoon’s sudden declaration.

Yoon had declared martial law in an unannounced late-night televised address, claiming he would eradicate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces”.

The move sent shockwaves through the country, which had a series of authoritarian leaders early in its history but has been considered democratic since the 1980s. The Korean won was down sharply against the US dollar. A central bank official said it was preparing measures to stabilise the market if needed.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/03/south-korean-president-declares-emergency-martial-law