South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol decreed on Tuesday December 3, 2024 the martial law, causing lively controversy while the parliament discusses in a tense budget.
This decision, described as “illegal” by the opposition leader, led to the popular mobilization to protest.
In a surprise television speech, Yoon Suk Yeol justified his decision in these terms: “To protect South South Korea threats from the North Korean communist forces and eliminate the elements hostile to the State (…), I proclaim an emergency martial law. »»
The President then accused the opposition of hindering the functioning of the government: “By ignoring the concerns of the people, the opposition party paralyzed the government to defend its own interests: special denials and protection of its leader in the face of justice. »»
He also denounced the National Assembly, which he described as “a refuge for criminals and a bastion of legislative dictatorship aimed at paralyzing administrative and judicial systems, and to overthrow our liberal democratic order. »»
For his part, the head of the army, Park An-Su, announced in a statement that all political activities were now prohibited and that the media were placed under strict government control.
Images broadcast live by the television channels have shown landing helicopters landing on the roof of Parliament in Seoul, while special forces were briefly entered before retiring.
