South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol created a surprise by proclaiming martial law on Tuesday, December 3, before withdrawing it a few hours later. Established for the first time in the country in more than 40 years, it has caused concern in many countries, including the United States, Germany and Russia.
What exactly happened in the last few hours? L’Express takes stock.
What did the South Korean president say?
In a late-night televised address, Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in South Korea on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of paralyzing the government. A six-point decree from the new martial law commander, army chief and General Park An-su, quickly followed, banning political activities and parties, “false propaganda”, strikes and “rallies”. which incite social unrest.
The decree also places all media outlets under martial law and orders all medical personnel, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours. Yoon Suk Yeol said he proclaimed martial law “to protect liberal South Korea from threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate elements hostile to the state.”
Although unexpected, the announcement comes against the backdrop of a battle with the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, over next year’s proposed budget. Opposition MPs approved a significantly reduced budget program last week through a committee. The South Korean president accused opposition politicians of cutting “all budgets essential to the nation’s primary functions.”
“The recourse to martial law almost looks like a gesture of desperation to try to get out of this, both on the political level and on that of general policy, but it is really badly played on both fronts”, estimated Alan Yu, a former American diplomat in Asia who currently works at the Center for American Progress, called the Korean president “a deeply unpopular leader.”
What were the reactions?
Helicopters landed on the roof of Parliament in Seoul. After being briefly prevented by soldiers, some 190 deputies managed to enter the Assembly. They voted unanimously in favor of a motion blocking the application of martial law and calling for its lifting. Responding to South Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung’s call, hundreds of people flocked to Parliament, chanting “Stop Yoon Suk Yeol.”
The United States said it was very “worried” about the surprise proclamation of martial law in South Korea, one of its closest allies, adding that it hoped for an outcome that respected the “rule of law.” The United Nations, the United Kingdom and Germany also expressed concern, while China called on its fellow citizens in South Korea to exercise “caution”. The Kremlin, which has strengthened its ties with North Korea to support its war against Ukraine, considered the situation “alarming”.
On the market side, the South Korean won skidded on Tuesday after the proclamation of martial law, which plunged the country into uncertainty.
Why did you go back?
Just hours after declaring it, Yoon Suk Yeol finally declared that martial law would be lifted and that the troops deployed in Seoul would withdraw. “There was a request from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we proceeded with the withdrawal of the soldiers who had been deployed for martial law operations,” the president declared in a new televised intervention .
“We will grant the request of the National Assembly and lift martial law during a government meeting,” he added.