South Korea’s President Yoon has declared emergency martial law, and accused the opposition of “antistate activities”.
While making the announcement on Tuesday, President Yoon Suk-yeol announced he will reconstruct a free and democratic country through martial law.
President Yoon had during a live televised address on Tuesday, said;
“To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate antistate elements … I hereby declare emergency martial law.”
“This is an unavoidable measure to ensure the freedom and safety of the people and guarantee the sustainability of the nation against the unrest stirred by these subversive, antistate elements.
“The National Assembly has also completely cut budgets essential for national operations, drug crime prevention and public safety, undermining the core functions of the state. This has left our citizens in a state of chaos with the nation becoming a haven for drugs and public safety collapsing.” Yoon concluded
Meanwhile, a local news outlet, Yonhap reported that the entrance to the National Assembly was closed and parliamentarians barred from entering the building following the martial law announcement.
The martial law commander, General Park An-soo, announced a number of measures under the declaration, including bans on all political activities,
“including those of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, and political associations, as well as assemblies [and] demonstrations”.
The martial law order also prohibits labour strikes and slowdowns, as well as “gatherings that incite social disorder”. The General further states that all media will be placed under the control of the Martial Law Command.
“Any acts that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system, as well as the dissemination of fake news, manipulation of public opinion, or false propaganda,” the order announced.
Healthcare workers, including medical doctors who are currently on strike, are compelled under the law to return to work within 48 hours or risk punishment.
“Violators of this proclamation will be subject to arrest, detention, and search and seizure without a warrant,” the commander declared.
