Follow Us on Google
By John Ogunsemore
South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law has been rejected by the nation’s National Assembly.
Yoon declared martial law in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday night.
He promised to eradicate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces”.
It was the first time since 1980 that martial law would be imposed in South Korea.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” Yoon said in a televised broadcast.
Following the shock announcement, television footage showed troops entering the National Assembly building while police and protesters clashed outside and helicopters, likely to be from the military, flew overhead.
However, the declaration was rejected in a vote in the National Assembly, with lawmakers unanimously voting 190-0 in favour of lifting martial law.
South Korean law mandates the president to immediately lift martial law if the National Assembly demands it by a majority vote.
Yoon also faced criticism from assembly speaker, Woo Won-shik and leader of the president’s own party, Han Dong-hoon, over the declaration.
