Why South Korean president declared martial law? And here's what's allowed and what's not

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law for the first time since 1980. He cited the need to protect the country from internal threats and North Korea. The decree prohibits political activities, strikes, media manipulation, and imposes strict control over public conduct. Violators will face severe penalties under martial law regulations.

· The Economic Times
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declares Martial Law, claims opposition sides with North Korea

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday for the first time in the country since 1980. Yoon's stunning announcement -- South Korea's first declaration of martial law in more than 40 years -- came as his his party and the opposition bicker over the budget. With martial law imposed, all military units in the South have been ordered to strengthen their emergency alert and readiness postures, Yonhap news agency reported.

Why martial law was imposed by South Korean president

Yoon has accused the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to protect the country from "threats" posed by the North.

"To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness, I hereby declare emergency martial law," Yoon said in a live televised address to the nation.

"With no regard for the livelihoods of the people, the opposition party has paralysed governance solely for the sake of impeachments, special investigations, and shielding their leader from justice," Yoon added.

"Our National Assembly has become a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyse the judicial and administrative systems and overturn our liberal democratic order," Yoon said.

Yoon described the imposition of martial law as "inevitable to guarantee the continuity of a liberal South Korea," adding that it would not impact the country's foreign policy.

He described the current situation as South Korea "on the verge of collapse, with the National Assembly acting as a monster intent on bringing down liberal democracy".

South Korea Martial Law: What's allowed and what's not

As per the martical law, all political activities, including the activities of the National Assembly, local councils, and political parties, political associations, rallies and demonstrations, are now prohibited.

Besides, the decree says, "All acts that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system are prohibited, and fake news, public opinion manipulation, and false propaganda are prohibited."

Under the law, media and publications will be subjected to the control of the Martial Law Command.

"Strikes, work stoppages and rallies that incite social chaos are prohibited," it says.

It mandated medical personnel, including trainee doctors, who are on strike or have left the medical field must return to their jobs within 48 hours and work faithfully. "Those who violate will be punished in accordance with the Martial Law," the presidential decree warned.

Under the law, any one found violating the martial law will be 'arrested, detained, and searched without a warrant in accordance with Article 9 of the Martial Law Act of the Republic of Korea (Special Measures Authority of the Martial Law Commander), and will be punished in accordance with Article 14 of the Martial Law Act (Penalties)'.

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( Originally published on Dec 03, 2024 )
In Video: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declares Martial Law, claims opposition sides with North Korea
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