South Korean Parliament Votes to Repeal Martial Law Declared by President

The South Korean Parliament voted to repeal the martial law in the country. According to Reuters, the South Korean Parliament convened on Wednesday morning (local time) with 190 out of 300 representatives present and voted to repeal the martial law declared by the country's president. Yoon Suk-yeol, the President of South Korea, unexpectedly declared martial law on Tuesday evening, December 3. In a televised speech, the South Korean president stated his intention to eliminate the 'brazen' pro-North Korean forces and anti-South Korean elements. Meanwhile, Reuters reported, citing a White House spokesperson, that the Biden administration is in contact with the South Korean government and is closely monitoring the situation. This is the first time since the 1980s that martial law has been declared in South Korea. Reports indicate the entry of special forces into the South Korean Parliament area and their attempts to enter the main chamber. Following the imposition of martial law, the Yonhap news agency reported that the South Korean military announced a ban on all parliamentary activities and political parties, as well as control over media and publishers. According to Reuters, the South Korean president did not mention any specific threats from North Korea while focusing on his political opponents in the country. This surprising action by the South Korean president was accompanied by a financial shock, leading to a decrease in the exchange rate of the Korean won against the US dollar. In this context, a central bank official stated that the institution is preparing measures to stabilize the market if necessary. Yoon, at the time of declaring martial law, stated that he had no choice but to resort to such action to protect the 'free and constitutional order.' He emphasized that opposition parties have 'taken the parliamentary process hostage to create a crisis in the country.' He also cited reasons for declaring martial law as 'protecting the free Republic of Korea against the threat of pro-communist North Korean forces, eradicating the detestable anti-government forces supporting North Korea that plunder the freedom and happiness of our people, and protecting the free constitutional order.' Although Yoon did not specify who these anti-government pro-North Korean forces are this time, he had previously described such forces as an obstacle to implementing his plans and weakening the country.