UPDATED 5:50 PM EST -- South Korea Declares MARTIAL LAW; First Time in 50 Years
It is a whole new world in South Korea where for the first in almost half a CENTURY an ’emergency martial law’ has been declared over a threat from North Korea.
President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday said he had no choice but to resort to such a measure to safeguard free and constitutional order.
He accused opposition parties for allegedly taking hostage of parliament to throw the country into a crisis and for sympathising with North 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,’ he said.
It has been reported that the parliament building has been shut, with entry and exit blocked to members.
South Korean Democratic Party chair Lee Jae-myung says there is high possibility military is mobilised to arrest members of National Assembly.
Martial law involves the temporary rule by military authorities. It is usually invoked in time of war, rebellion, or natural disaster.
Curfews are usually introduced, in addition to the suspension of civil law and civil rights. Civilians defying martial law being subjected to military tribunals.
Yook did not say in the shock announcement – broadcast live on national television – what specific measures will be taken.
He declared the step as critical for defending the country’s constitutional order.
It was not immediately clear how the steps would affect governance and democracy.
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