In a shocking incident, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared an emergency martial law in the country, blaming the country’s opposition of hampering the Government with anti-state activities. In an emergency national address that was televised live on the 3rd December, 2024, he declared that the martial law is aimed to protect the constitutional order of freedom. The President further stated that the martial law was imposed in order to rebuild and safeguard the country which has been facing significant challenges. He stated that the declaration might cause some inconvenience to citizens but the country would be normalized swiftly. In the aftermath of the incident, security forces briefly occupied the National Assembly.
However, in the late hours of 3rd December, the National Assembly convened a plenary session and demanded the lifting of the martial law, with the resolution being approved with 190 votes in favor. This unanimous vote nullified the martial law declaration and demanded its immediate lifting as under the constitution of South Korea, martial law must be lifted when a parliamentary majority demands it. Following the vote and public protest, the President revoked the decree with the military and police personnel gradually withdrawing from the Parliament grounds.
It has been believed that the declaration of martial law finds its roots in the political disagreement between the government and opposition of South Korea.
However, it marks the first declaration of an emergency martial law in South Korea since 1979.
