South Korea’s Martial Law Withdrawal Bid: Why President Yoon Took a U-turn?

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has withdrawn the emergency martial law declaration on December 4 just hours after its imposition on Tuesday night. The sudden move to impose martial law, which restricts political and press freedom, was done to counter the “anti-state forces” among Yeol’s political opponents. However, after protests Korea’s National Assembly voted to end the emergency martial law.

“We are relieved President Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the… National Assembly’s vote to end it,” said a White House spokesperson. While the protesters outside the National Assembly parliament enjoyed the restored freedom and chanted, “We won!”.

The brief imposition of the law has now landed the South Korean President in a ring of fire as the opposition lawmakers are likely to propose a bill within 72 hours to impeach him.

“The parliament should focus on immediately suspending the President’s business to pass an impeachment bill soonest,” said Hwang Un-ha, according to cnbc.com.

What is Martial Law?

Imposition of martial law would entail replacement of civilian government with a military one for a temporary time. Article 77 of the country’s constitution talks about martial law and explains in detail the activity that will be banned as long as martial law is in place, including curbs, can be put on freedom of speech, and the press, powers of the executive and the judiciary. The law also restricts the functioning of parliament and political parties and media and press of the country too come under the military rule.

The martial law had been invoked for the first time since South Korea became a parliamentary democracy in 1987. Last it was declared nearly 45 years ago in 1979 when the country’s long-term military dictator Park Chung-hee was assassinated.

President Yeol cited the opposition’s sympathetic behaviour with North Korea a threat to the country and “anti-state activities” as a reason for the declaration of emergency martial law.

“Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into the depths of national ruin…I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalise the country,” said the President in a televised address.