SEOUL – South Korea has ended martial law following a vote by the opposition-controlled parliament that declared it invalid. The cabinet withdrew the measure early on Dec 4, hours after President Yoon Suk Yeol initially declared martial law to address what he described as threats to the nation’s democratic order. The decision to revoke the decree came after protesters clashed with police outside parliament, with opposition lawmakers blocking attempts to disrupt the vote.
The declaration of martial law, which came into effect late Tuesday, prohibited political activities, public demonstrations, and strikes while placing the media and publications under strict control. It also allowed for the search, arrest, and detention of violators without warrants. The opposition deemed the move unconstitutional and accused the president of using the measure to suppress dissent amid disputes over the national budget and investigations into scandals involving top officials.
International reactions included expressions of concern from the United States, which was not informed of the declaration in advance. U.S. officials underscored their commitment to monitoring the developments closely, given the implications for regional stability. The Korean won experienced a sharp drop against the U.S. dollar following the turmoil.
President Yoon, whose approval ratings have declined since taking office in 2022, faced strong domestic and international backlash for his decision. Analysts have described the incident as a major challenge to South Korea’s democratic standing, which has evolved since the country’s transition from military rule in the 1980s. (NNT)
