The country just below the 38th parallel i.e. South Korea faced a short disaster when its president announced emergency Martial Law amid escalating tensions with the country’s staunch enemy North Korea. The martial law which is used since history many a times in many countries, is a method or we can say political method through which civil liberties or rights are suspended along with expansion of military control.
Why President Yoon Suk Yeol declared Martial law: –
The power to declare martial law in south Korea resides with president, as per his address to the nation on Tuesday there are certain reasons which he used to justify the declaration:
- Threat from North Korea: – The main reason behind this big move comes not far away from the country. President Yoon said in his national address that, “I hereby declare Emergency martial Law in order to defend the free republic of Korea from the threat from North Korea Communist forces and to eradicate the shameless pro-North Anti-state forces that are depriving our people of their freedom and happiness.” This suggests that the tensions among the two neighbors are deteriorating with a fast pace. South Korea is also challenging the deployment of north Korean forces in Russia-Ukraine War with is also a part of recent uneasiness.
- A threat from within: – President’s speech also gave us some hints of the problems within the nation, he mentioned some ‘anti-state forces’ which are working to destroy the peace and prosperity of the country people, by shaking hands with North Korea or sharing the same ideology with them. He said, “Through this Martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free republic of Korea which is tallying into the depths of national ruin.”
- Self-sustained goals of Yoon Suk Yeol: – Political analysts are also of the view that there can be certain Political or personal goals behind this step of President Yoon Suk Yeol himself, as he has been in news many a times for his personal and political scandals. There is also a political situation that the recent assembly elections in south Korea few months back delivered a major share of votes to the opposition which as per speculations, can be a reason behind such vague decision. Also, the decision of opposition to impeach the three top prosecutors can also be the cause. With the ruling party Leader Han Dung Hoon calling this decision ‘wrong’ and vowed to block the martial law, this suggests that this decision is not a collective one. Opposition Leader Lee Jae Myung also declared it as unconstitutional and called for national protests.
Protests and Heavy Police Personnel: –
As soon as the President declared Emergency Martial law, Army within hours the army entered and seized national assembly building to suspend all parliamentary activities. This seizure got response from the people with gathered in heavy numbers in front of the building and protested violently and demanded the removal of president Yoon Suk Yeol amid a bulky police control.
Parliament lifted the Martial Law: –
Hours after implementation of martial law the parliament declared it as vague and lifted it with majority support. This move itself questioned the original decision of the president which is now under threat of facing the impeachment motion.
Category: World, Politics.
Tags: South Korea, Martial Law, Yoon Suk Yeol.
