This morning the South Korean government officially lifted martial law, after a dramatic night in which the president Yoon Suk Yeol he imposed the measure with troops surrounding parliament and lawmakers quickly voted to reject the military regime. After the bipartisan vote, police and military forces began to withdraw from the National Assembly, and the declaration of martial law was formally lifted during a meeting of the Council of Ministers at around 4:30 am local time. The vote to abolish martial law was unanimous among the 190 participating legislators.
The Democratic Party immediately started impeachment procedures, which would force Yoon to resign and on Saturday Parliament will vote on whether to proceed. To approve the impeachment, a qualified majority of two-thirds is required, equal to 200 seats out of 300. Once approved by Parliament, the matter passes to the Constitutional Court, the highest judicial body of South Korea, composed of nine judges. To confirm the impeachment, the consent of at least six judges is required, always with a two-thirds majority. In that case, the president would be forced to resign immediately. As he announced the lifting of martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliament, accusing lawmakers of engaging in “unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state.”
Outside the Assembly, hundreds of demonstrators gathered, holding banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment. Scuffles broke out between some protesters and troops, but there were no reports of serious injuries or property damage. According to South Korea’s constitution, martial law can only be declared “during warlike, war-like situations or other comparable states of national emergency requiring military intervention to maintain order.” The Constitution also provides that the president must lift martial law if the National Assembly votes by majority for its removal. It is clear that President Yoon Suk Yeol has made a huge mistake given that the situation has never been such as to require a measure such as that which provides for martial law.
In Washington, the White House expressed “serious concern” about the situation in Seoul. A National Security Council spokesperson said the Biden administration was not notified in advance of Yoon’s decision and had been in contact with South Korean officials. Yoon’s declaration marked the first use of martial law in South Korea since democratization in 1987. The last time it was declared was in October 1979, following the assassination of military dictator Park Chung-hee.
North Korea, Russia and China are carefully watching developments in the South Korean crisis, seeing it as an opportunity to weaken the pro-Western front in Asia. Moscow has recently strengthened ties with Pyongyangwhich sent more than 10,000 soldiers to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine. Beijing, however, aims to extend its influence in the Pacific, in line with its long-term ambitions, including the annexation of Taiwan. 30,000 soldiers in South Korea and representing Seoul’s main ally, were taken by surprise by the crisis. Just last year, President Joe Biden hosted South Korean President Yoon a Washington for a summit with the Japanese prime minister in Camp. David, a meeting designed to inaugurate a new phase of cooperation between South Korea and Japan, historically rivals. For Donald Trump another fire to put out as soon as he sits in his White House office.
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