South Korea Lifts Martial Law Following National Assembly Resolution and Presidential Address, December 4, 2024

The Tense Proclamation and Lifting of Martial Law in South Korea: A Six-Hour Chronicle

From the night of December 3, 2024, to the early morning of December 4, South Korea experienced a crucial moment that demonstrated the functioning of its constitutional order and democracy amidst intense political tension. Let's take a closer look at the main events that unfolded during these six hours, in chronological order.

1. Proclamation of Martial Law (11 PM, December 3, 2024)

• President Yoon Suk-yeol's Decision:
  • The President proclaimed martial law, citing the paralysis of state functions and threats from anti-state forces.
  • He emphasized that this was a "patriotic decision" to prevent the collapse of the constitutional order, and the martial law order was issued.
• Formation of the Martial Law Command:
  • Army Chief of Staff Park An-soo was appointed as the Commander of Martial Law.
  • Immediately, Martial Law Proclamation No. 1was issued, announcing measures including a ban on political activities and media control.
• Attempt to Enter the National Assembly:
  • Martial law troops were deployed to control the National Assembly building.
  • There was an attempt to block the entrances to the National Assembly with barricades and restrict the entry of National Assembly members.
  • Police strictly controlled the entry of National Assembly members, allowing entry only restrictively after identity verification.

2. The National Assembly's Emergency Response (Around Midnight, December 4, 2024)

• Emergency Plenary Session Convened:
  • The National Assembly convened an emergency plenary session past midnight to respond immediately to President Yoon's martial law declaration.
  • Speaker Woo Won-sik emphasized that "the National Assembly will not remain silent to protect the constitution and democracy."
• Confrontation with Martial Law Troops:
  • Some National Assembly members and aides physically resisted the martial law troops' attempt to enter the National Assembly.
  • The martial law troops who entered the National Assembly ultimately waited without further physical conflict and monitored the situation.

3. Martial Law Lifting Resolution Passed (1:01 AM, December 4, 2024)

• Resolution Presented and Debated:
  • The National Assembly plenary session presented the resolution to lift martial law based on Article 77, Paragraph 5 of the Constitution.
  • 18 pro-government lawmakers from the People Power Party and 172 opposition lawmakers actively participated and quickly concluded the debate.
• Overwhelmingly Passed:
  • All 190 present lawmakers voted in favor, resulting in its passage.
  • The time of passage was around 1:01 AM, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes after the declaration of martial law.
• Speaker Woo Won-sik's Proclamation:
  • "According to the Constitution, the President must immediately lift martial law," he declared after the resolution was passed.

4. Presidential Statement and Lifting of Martial Law (4:27 AM, December 4, 2024)

• Initial Silence:
  • President Yoon did not make any statement for three hours after the resolution was passed.
  • The presidential office appears to have cut off external contact and held internal meetings to analyze the situation.
• Emergency Address Announced:
  • At 4:27 AM, President Yoon announced the lifting of martial law in an emergency address.
  • Key announcements:<li><span class="ck-list-bogus-paragraph">He would accept the National Assembly's request to lift martial law.</span></li><li><span class="ck-list-bogus-paragraph">He had ordered the immediate withdrawal of martial law troops.</span></li><li><span class="ck-list-bogus-paragraph">He would officially lift martial law through a cabinet meeting.</span></li>
• Message to the National Assembly:
  • The President described the National Assembly's actions as "lawless acts that paralyze state functions" and demanded their immediate cessation.
  • He repeatedly emphasized the legitimacy of the martial law declaration as a "measure against anti-state forces."

4-1. Full Text of the President's Martial Law Lifting Address

Full text of President Yoon's address on lifting martial law.

• My fellow citizens, I declared martial law at 11 PM last night with a resolute patriotic resolve to counter anti-state forces that were attempting to paralyze the essential functions of the state and to undermine the free democratic constitutional order.
• However, I have ordered the withdrawal of the military deployed for martial law duties, in response to the National Assembly's request to lift martial law a short time ago.
• I will immediately lift martial law by accepting the National Assembly’s request through a Cabinet meeting.
• However, although I immediately convened the Cabinet meeting, since it is early morning the quorum for deliberation has not yet been met. I will lift martial law as soon as it is.
• However, I urge the National Assembly to immediately cease its lawless acts that are paralyzing the functions of the state, including repeated impeachments and legislative and budgetary abuses.
• Thank you.

5. Cabinet Meeting and Completion of Martial Law Lifting (4:30 AM, December 4, 2024)

• Cabinet Meeting Convened:
  • President Yoon convened a cabinet meeting at 4:30 AM to decide on the lifting of martial law.
  • Cabinet members were urgently summoned overnight to participate in the deliberation.
• Official Lifting of Martial Law:
  • The martial law lifting proposal was approved at the cabinet meeting, officially ending martial law.
• Withdrawal of Martial Law Troops:
  • The Joint Chiefs of Staff issued a withdrawal order, and martial law troops immediately returned to their original units.
  • The Martial Law Command was also disbanded.

6. Subsequent Situation

• Continued Political Tension:
  • The President's strong message to the National Assembly in his address foreshadows the possibility of continued political conflict.
  • Debates between the ruling and opposition parties are expected regarding the legitimacy of the martial law declaration and the assignment of responsibility.
• Social Reactions:
  • Citizens reaffirmed the importance of the constitutional order during the declaration and lifting of martial law, and they evaluated that democracy functioned even in a tense situation.
  • However, there were also reports of clashes and confusion in some areas where martial law troops were deployed.

An Unprecedented Event - The South Korean President's Proclamation of Martial Law

Although it was a short period of six hours, it was a significant event that confirmed the functioning of the South Korean Constitution and democracy. Martial law was lifted amid the National Assembly's swift response and public attention, and further political discussions and social impact are expected.

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