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Why has South Korea's president suddenly declared martial law? Why South Korea's president suddenly declared martial law
(about 3 hours later)
Police stand guard at the gate of the National Assembly after South Korea's president declared martial lawPolice stand guard at the gate of the National Assembly after South Korea's president declared martial law
In the face of political pressure, South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol has declared martial law in the democratic country for the first time in more than 50 years - prompting protests near the country's parliament building. Under mounting political pressure, South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday night declared martial law in the democratic country for the first time in nearly 50 years.
The late-night pronouncement - made on national TV at 23:00 local time (14:00 GMT) had citizens immediately thinking it was related to North Korea - the South's nuclear-armed neighbour- or a critical matter of national security like a terrorism event or coup. His late-night pronouncement, made on national TV at 23:00 local time (14:00 GMT), mentioned national security and the threat from North Korea, but it soon became clear Yoon had made this drastic move in response to a series of political setbacks.
However, it became clear fairly quickly that Yoon had made this drastic move in response to a series of political events. He was driven to the point of invoking martial law - temporary rule by the military - as a tactic to fend off the political attacks, observers say.
Having lost control of parliament earlier in the year, his government had been battling a series of opposition bills and motions which had sought to undermine his rule. But it triggered immediate protests outside parliament and lawmakers voted down the measure, which they said was illegal, within hours.
Political observers say he's now been driven to the point of invoking martial law - temporary rule by the military - as an undemocratic tactic to fend off the political attacks. Follow what is happening in South Korea live
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol What is martial law and why has it been declared?
What was the immediate response? Watch: Moment president declares marital law
Opposition leaders on Tuesday immediately condemned the move as unconstitutional. How did it unfold?
South Korea’s main opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung called on his Democratic Party MPs to converge on parliament on Tuesday night to vote down the declaration. After referring to the opposition's political attacks, President Yoon on Tuesday night said he was declaring martial law to "crush anti-state forces that have been wreaking havoc".
But in Seoul, police buses had already been moved in to block or barricade the entrance to the parliament building, local broadcasts showed. That put the military in charge temporarily - triggering the deployment of troops and police to parliament where helicopters were seen landing on the National Assembly's roof.
Still, demonstrators have rushed to the National Assembly building, protesting and chanting "No martial law! No martial law". They have clashed with lines of police guarding the building. The military also issued a statement declaring all gatherings by parliament and political organisation would be banned, while media publications would also fall under military control.
But South Korea's political opposition immediately called Yoon's declaration illegal and unconstitutional. The leader of Yoon's own party, the conservative People's Power Party, also called his act "the wrong move".
Meanwhile, main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called on his Democratic Party MPs to converge on the parliament to vote down the declaration.
He also called on ordinary South Koreans to show up at parliament in protest.
"Tanks, armoured personnel carriers and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country... My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly.”
Hundreds heeded the call, rushing to gather outside the heavily- guarded parliament. Crowds of protesters chanted: "No martial law! No martial law."
Local media broadcasting from the site showed some scuffles between protesters and police at the gates. But despite the heavy military presence, the tensions did not escalate into violence.
And lawmakers were also able to make their way around the barricades to get into the parliamentary voting chambers.
Shortly after 01:00 Wednesday local time, South Korea's parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, voted down the measure. President Yoon's declaration of martial law was ruled invalid.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declaring martial law in a national address on Tuesday night
How significant is martial law?How significant is martial law?
Martial law is temporary rule by military authorities in a time of emergency, when civil authorities are deemed unable to function.Martial law is temporary rule by military authorities in a time of emergency, when civil authorities are deemed unable to function.
The last time it was declared in South Korea was in 1979, when a long-term president had been assassinated during a coup. The last time it was declared in South Korea was in 1979, when the country's then long-term military dictator Park Chung-hee was assassinated during a coup.
It has never been invoked since South Korea became a parliamentary democracy in 1987. It has never been invoked since the country became a parliamentary democracy in 1987.
But on Tuesday, Yoon pulled that trigger, in a national address saying he was invoking military rule over a threat from "anti-state forces". But on Tuesday, Yoon pulled that trigger, saying in a national address he was trying to save South Korea from "anti-state forces".
Under martial law, extra powers are given to the military and there may be a suspension of usual rule of law protections and procedures. Yoon, who has taken a noticeably more hardline stance on North Korea than his predecessors, described the political opposition as North Korea sympathisers - without giving any evidence.
What's the political context? Under martial law, extra powers are given to the military and there is often a suspension of civil rights for citizens and rule of law standards and protections.
Yoon has been a lame duck president since South Korea's general election in April when the opposition won a landslide. South Korea's parliament met shortly after Yoon's declaration to block the martial law measure
His government since then has not been able to pass bills they wanted and have been reduced instead to vetoing bills the opposition have been passing. What has fired up the opposition?
He has also seen a dive in his popularity with voters; having been mired in several political influence and corruption scandals - including one involving the First Lady accepting a Dior bag, and another around stock manipulation. Yoon was voted into office in May 2022, but has been a lame duck president since April when the opposition won a landslide in the country's general election.
Just last month he was forced to issue an apology on national TV, saying he was setting up an office overseeing the First Lady's duties. But he rejected a wider or independent investigation, which opposition parties had been calling for. His government since then has not been able to pass the bills they wanted and have been reduced instead to vetoing bills passed by the opposition.
Then this week, the opposition proposed slashing budgets for his government - and a budget bill cannot be vetoed. He has also seen a fall in voter standing, having been mired in several corruption scandals - including one involving the First Lady accepting a Dior bag, and another around stock manipulation.
At the same time, the opposition also moved to impeach cabinet members, including the head of the government's audit agency - for failing to investigate the First Lady. Just last month he was forced to issue an apology on national TV, saying he was setting up an office overseeing the First Lady's duties. But he rejected a wider investigation, which opposition parties had been calling for.
Then this week, the opposition proposed slashing budgets for his government - and budget bills cannot be vetoed.
At the same time, the opposition also moved to impeach cabinet members and several top prosecutors- including the head of the government's audit agency - for failing to investigate the First Lady.
Many citizens turned out outside parliament on Tuesday night to protest against the sudden martial law declaration. Mass protests are a frequent and common political event in the country.
The leader of a key opposition party, the Democrats Party, addressing media after parliament voted down martial law on Wednesday morning
What now?What now?
Yoon's declaration caught many off guard - it's a fast-moving situation now. Yoon's declaration caught many off guard - and it has been a fast-moving situation these past hours.
The political opposition has called on the public to gather in protest outside parliament - peaceful mass demonstrations are common in South Korea and they have proven effective in changing governments before. But the opposition was able to congregate quickly at parliament and had the numbers to vote down the martial law declaration.
The main opposition Democratic Party on Tuesday night immediately called for all its lawmakers to assemble at the National Assembly. And despite the heavy presence of troops and police in the capital, a takeover by the military has, it seems, not materialised.
Under South Korean law, the government must lift martial law if a majority in parliament - the National Assembly - demands it in a vote. The same law also prohibits martial law command from arresting lawmakers. Under South Korean law, the government must lift martial law if a majority in parliament demands it in a vote.
But police buses had already been moved into place in front of the building in what is being viewed as a barricade to stop lawmakers from reaching the assembly. The same law also prohibits martial law command from arresting lawmakers.
There is also discord within Yoon's own party, the People's Power Party leader. It's unclear what happens now. Some of the protesters gathered outside the assembly on Tuesday night had also been shouting: "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol".
Its leader Han Dong-hoon has called the declaration of martial law a "wrong" move, South Korean outlet Yonhap is reporting. He has vowed to block the law. But President Yoon's rash action has stunned the country - which views itself as a thriving, modern democracy that has come far since its dictatorship days.
This is being viewed as the biggest challenge to that democratic society in decades.
As the speaker of parliament said on Wednesday: "We will protect democracy together with the people."