South Korean president declares martial law; accuses political opposition of trying to overthrow democracy

I know nothing about South Korean politics, and I hope Rob can weigh in soon, but obviously this sounds really bad:

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared emergency martial law on Tuesday, accusing the opposition of plotting “insurgency” and “trying to overthrow the free democracy.”

It was the first time a South Korean president had declared martial law since the military dictatorship ended in the country in the late 1980s. Mr. Yoon, who was elected president in 2022, has been in a near-constant political standoff with the opposition, which controls Parliament.

Dec. 3, 2024, 10:12 a.m. ET5 minutes ago

John YoonReporting from Seoul

Soldiers have arrived in front of the National Assembly, adding to a chaotic scene with police officers, protesters and reporters, as helicopters are heard around the assembly compound, live television footage shows.

Dec. 3, 2024, 10:11 a.m. ET7 minutes ago

Jin Yu Young Reporting from Seoul

Lee Jae-jeong, a South Korean lawmaker, wrote on Facebook that she was making her way to the National Assembly. “We will stop this at all costs,” she said

Dec. 3, 2024, 10:07 a.m. ET10 minutes ago

John YoonReporting from Seoul

South Korean media has published the martial law declaration, which took effect Tuesday at 11 p.m.

Dec. 3, 2024, 10:03 a.m. ET14 minutes ago

Jin Yu Young Reporting from Seoul

This is the first time in 44 years that a South Korean leader has declared martial law. It was declared in 1980 during a pro-democracy uprising against the military.

Dec. 3, 2024, 9:55 a.m. ET22 minutes ago

Choe Sang-HunReporting from Seoul

Army Gen. Park An-soo, who was appointed martial law commander, banned “all political activities,” including political party activities and citizens’ rallies.

Dec. 3, 2024, 9:56 a.m. ET21 minutes ago

Choe Sang-HunReporting from Seoul

“All news media and publications are under the control of martial law command,” Gen. Park said in a martial law decree that he said took effect at 11 p.m. The edict also banned labor activities and spreading “fake news.” Those who violate the decree can be arrested without a court warrant, it said.

Update:

In just a few hours, South Korea — known for decades as a vibrant democracy after transitioning from postwar authoritarian rule — has been thrown into political chaos.

After President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law for the first time since 1980, lawmakers assembled and unanimously voted to block the move.

Some context: Under the country’s constitution, the president has the power to declare extraordinary martial law, which allows special measures influencing freedoms of speech, press, assembly and association.

The president must then notify the National Assembly of his decision — but if a majority of lawmakers vote to lift martial law, “the president shall comply,” according to the constitution.

The president’s cabinet must then “deliberate” and review the decision to lift martial law, according to the constitution.

It’s not clear whether Yoon will comply with the lawmakers’ vote as required by law, or what the cabinet will say.

Even the leader of Yoon’s ruling People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, called on the president to lift the decree, according to news agency Yonhap.

It doesn’t sound like Yoon has any support from even his own party, so it would seem up to the military to force him to stand down.