South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced tonight that he will revoke martial law, after a majority in parliament, including his own party, asked him to do so.
The declaration of martial law stunned South Koreans and prompted a brief attempt by soldiers to enter parliament. Lawmakers and protesters reacted quickly to the most serious challenge to democracy in that country since the 1980s.
“In order to protect liberal South Korea from threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements… I hereby declare a state of emergency,” Yoon said in a live address to the nation today, accusing opposition forces of controlling parliament, sympathizing with the North Korean regime and ” paralyzing the government with anti-state activities”.
Declaring martial law does not mean a declaration of war, but rather a measure that enables the military to take control of civilian authorities in order to maintain order and security. This may include restricting civil rights, such as freedom of movement and assembly, and introducing media censorship.
Such measures are usually taken in situations of serious threat to national security, such as external threats or internal unrest.
Photo: The Associated Press
