Supporters of South Korea’s opposition party gathered in front of Parliament in the early hours of Wednesday (4), local time, calling for the annulment of the Martial Law that President Yoon Sook Yeol declared.
In a surprise TV speech this Tuesday (3), Yoon declared martial law, attacking political opponents.
Yoon said opposition parties have taken the parliamentary process hostage. He promised to eradicate “blatant pro-North Korean anti-state forces” and claimed he had no choice but to take action to safeguard the constitutional order.
According to the decree, activities in Parliament and political parties would be prohibited, and the media and publishers would be under the control of the Martial Law Command.
This did not stop hundreds of protesters and the press from gathering in front of Parliament, shouting and raising a South Korean flag.
Parliamentarians voted to block the decree, but it is still unclear what will happen. According to the country’s law, the president would have to follow the determination.
See what’s in South Korea’s Martial Law decree
Below is a translation from the Reuters news agency of the military decree:
“To protect liberal democracy from the threat of overthrowing the regime of the Republic of Korea by anti-state forces active in the Republic of Korea and to protect the security of the people, the following is declared throughout the Republic of Korea from 23:00 on 3 December 2024:
1. All political activities, including the activities of the National Assembly, local councils and political parties, political associations, rallies and demonstrations, are prohibited.
2. All acts that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system are prohibited, and fake news, manipulation of public opinion and false propaganda are prohibited.
3. All media and publications are subject to the control of the Martial Law Command.
4. Strikes, work stoppages and rallies that incite social chaos are prohibited.
5. All 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 Martial Law.
6. Innocent ordinary citizens, excluding anti-state and other subversive forces, will be subject to measures to minimize inconvenience in their daily lives.
Violators of the above proclamation may be arrested, detained and searched without a warrant in accordance with Article 9 of the Martial Law 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 (Penalties).
Martial Law Commander Army General Park An-su, Tuesday, December 3, 2024.”
This content was originally published in South Korea: Opponents gather in front of Parliament after Martial Law decree on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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