South Korean president, parliament clash over martial law: 5 takeaways

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law Tuesday, accusing the parliament of being a “den for criminals” and of “attempting to overthrow” the nation’s democracy.

Hours later, however, the National Assembly voted to demand Yoon lift the declaration.

“I hereby declare an emergency martial law in order to defend the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North, anti-state forces that are depriving our people of their freedom and happiness,” Yoon said in his declaration, according to a video from The Associated Press.

Here are the top takeaways from the unfolding situation.

What does martial law entail?

Following Yoon’s public declaration of martial law, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who was named as leader of martial law command, announced a ban on all political activities, which the South Korean Yonhap News Agency said included protests and activities by political parties.

Under martial law, the AP reported, “special measures” can be used to restrict freedoms of the press, of assembly and the power of the courts.

White House ‘seriously concerned’

The White House National Security Council said in a statement that the Biden administration “is in contact with the R.O.K. government and is monitoring the situation closely as we work to learn more,” using an acronym to refer to South Korea.

“The U.S. was not notified in advance of this announcement,” the statement continued. “We are seriously concerned by the developments we are seeing on the ground in the R.O.K.”

The White House said President Biden, currently visiting Angola, was briefed on the situation.

Parliament votes to reject martial law

The 300-member National Assembly convened in a plenary session at about 1 a.m. local time to request that Yoon lift the declaration of martial law. All 190 members present voted in favor of the resolution.

Under Korean law, the National Assembly can request to lift martial law, at which point, “the President shall, without delay, do so and announce it.”

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declared martial law “invalid” and said lawmakers “will protect democracy with the people,” the AP reported.

President's own party calls martial law ‘wrong’

Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s own conservative People Power Party, publicly rejected the declaration.

He called the declaration “wrong” and vowed to “stop it with the people,” the AP reported.

First such declaration since 1979

Yoon’s declaration of martial law was the first such declaration since the country democratized in 1987. The country was under martial law in October 1979, after former military dictator Park Chung-hee was assassinated.

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