On December 4, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea, soldiers marched through the crowd in front of the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law.
Kim Hongzhi | Reuters
South Korea’s National Assembly votes to overturn South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol declares martial law Wednesday morning in Seoul.
Within three hours of Yoon declaring martial law late Tuesday night, 190 of the 300 National Assembly members gathered to overturn the emergency order. According to the country’s constitution, the president must comply with the National Assembly’s vote.
This is the first time in 44 years that South Korea has declared martial law. Yoon accused opposition lawmakers of plunging the country into a political crisis.
“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 Korea and anti-national forces that rob our people of their freedom and happiness, and to protect the free Constitution.” Yoon said, according to a Reuters translation. “The order .
Yet Yoon’s martial law alarmed even members of his People’s Power party. On Tuesday night, party leader Han Dong-hoon and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon both expressed opposition to Mr Yoon’s declaration of martial law.
Yin, who is elected in 2022, has struggled with low approval ratings in recent weeks. His party lost legislative elections earlier this year. Yoon and the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, are locked in a political deadlock over budget plans for next year.
The announcement shocked the Korean market. won It fell sharply against the U.S. dollar, with the latest trading down more than 1% at around 1,420 won. this iShares MSCI Korea ETF (EWY)An index tracking South Korean stocks fell more than 2%.
The National Assembly was also cordoned off by soldiers and police.
“The administration is in contact with the South Korean government and is closely monitoring developments,” the White House National Security Council said in a statement to NBC News.
