Topline
South Korea’s president Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law —seizing control of the national media and banning “political activities”—as an apparent reaction to the gridlock he’s faced with the opposing political Democratic Party, refusing to lift it despite a majority vote in parliament to do so.
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul after South Korea President Yoon Suk … [+]
Key Facts
Yoon said the move was to “defend the free Republic of Korea” from “North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces” to “protect the free constitutional order.”
In a nationally televised speech Yoon accused the opposition Democratic Party of sympathizing with North Korea and using its majority in the National Assembly to impeach his cabinet members and block his budget plans.
While the parliament has unanimously voted to lift the order through a majority vote, which the Constitution says the president “shall comply” with, South Korean military officials have reportedly said it will remain in place until Yoon lifts it himself.
Protests erupted across Seoul hours after the announcement, and protestors also appear to be clashing with the police outside of the National Assembly.
The last time martial law was declared in South Korea was in 1980, during an uprising against the country’s then military dictatorship.
What Does This Mean For The Public?
Yoon said in his address that it would “cause some inconvenience to the good people who have believed in…the Constitution,” but that he will “focus on minimizing these inconveniences.” Park An-soo, an army general who was appointed martial law commander, has banned “all political activities,” including citizen rallies. In a new decree that also banned labor activities and spreading “fake news,” Park said “all news media and publications” would be subject to martial law command. Arrests can be made without a court warrant if the decree is violated, he said.
How Have Markets Reacted?
The won, South Korea’s currency, fell to the lowest level against the dollar in two years, tumbling by more than 1%. South Korean stocks and exchange-traded funds listed in New York, including Coupang and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF, similarly fell.
Chief Critic
“Martial law declaration is wrong,” Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s ruling People Power Party, said on Facebook. “Together with the people, we will stop this,” he said. Lee Jae-myung, the opposition leader, said “there is no reason” for the declaration and said Yoon “betrayed the people,” while urging the military not to comply with the order.
