Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024I'm a South Korean journalist based in New York City. This is a thread about what's happening in South Korea right now…
Summary
South Korea's president declared emergency martial law, triggering a major political crisis with mass protests, parliamentary opposition, and calls for impeachment. The military deployment and government crackdown have created significant constitutional and democratic tensions in the country.
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Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024President Yoon of South Korea declared emergency martial law today. This is the first declaration of martial law since 1979, which was followed by the Gwangju Uprising the following year. President Yoon ordered a complete shutdown of the National Assembly.
- #3Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
The opposition Democratic Party has urgently summoned its members of the National Assembly. The National Assembly speaker is heading to the assembly building, but it has already been closed off by the police.
- #4Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
The ruling party has also called its representatives for an emergency caucus, its leader criticizing the declaration of martial law as inappropriate.
- #5Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea has declared martial law Tuesday in an emergency briefing. Yoon said it was made to prevent "anti-state forces," specifically citing the opposition party and its followers as pro-North Korean leftist groups.
- #6Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
Under the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, the president has the authority to declare martial law and prescribes its scope, rights, procedures, and duties of martial law commander through the Martial Law Act. The first martial law was declared on October 21, 1948.
- #7Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
It was following the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident. Since then, it has been misused as a means to seize and maintain power by dictatorial regimes. There were 12 emergency martial law declarations from 1948 to 1979, all under the dictatorship. Today, Yoon declared the country's 13th.
- #8Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
According to the martial law decree, all political activities are strictly prohibited and media and publications will be controlled.
- #9Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
According to Martial Law Command Decree No. 1, 1. All political activities are prohibited, including the activities of the National Assembly and local councils, political parties, and political associations, as well as assemblies and demonstrations.
- #10Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
This is a photo from @kyunghyang. Access to the National Assembly building is completely restricted for members and staff.
- #11Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
Left from @TheHankyoreh and right from @kyunghyang. Military forces are advancing toward the National Assembly building while helicopters have been spotted over the assembly area.
- #12Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
The National Assembly plenary session opened at 12:49 AM (KST) on December 4.
- #13Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
While the National Assembly held a plenary session to lift martial law on the 4th, martial law forces were seen breaking windows and attempting to enter the National Assembly building. Captured from @mbcnews.
- #14Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
[Breaking News] The National Assembly passed the 'Resolution Request to Lift Martial Law' with unanimous approval from all 190 registered members.
- #15Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
Although the National Assembly passed a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law, the Presidential Office maintains silence. It has been revealed that they are also restricting press access.
- #16Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
When the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with the approval of a majority of its attending members, the President must lift it immediately. However, the situation has become problematic as the Presidential Office continues to remain silent.
- #17Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
Democratic Party revealed military planned to arrest Assembly Speaker and party leaders under martial law; reviewing possible insurrection charges.
- #18Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
Martial law has just been lifted. It's official.
- #19Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
President Yoon announced that he will approve the lifting of martial law as soon as the Cabinet meeting reaches a quorum. This means there is still one more procedural step remaining before the official lifting.
- #20Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
The Cabinet (State) Council has passed a resolution to lift the martial law at 4:30 AM (KST).
- #21Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 3, 2024
What I want to ask right now is 1. Where were all the ruling People Power Party assembly members during the voting? I know some members (only 18 out of 108) participated, but what about the others?
- #22Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
The Presidential Chief of Staff and Senior Presidential Secretaries have collectively offered their resignations. It was reported that most of them were excluded from discussions regarding the declaration of martial law.
- #23Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
Democratic Party announced it will accuse President Yoon of treason and seek impeachment.
- #24Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
Ministry of National Defense revealed that National Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was the one who proposed the martial law declaration to President Yoon Suk Yeol.
- #25Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
A government official said that the Prime Minister, the leadership of the People Power Party, and presidential aides will hold an emergency meeting at 2 PM (KST).
- #26Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
The six opposition parties submitted an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol to the National Assembly. All 191 lawmakers (assembly members) from the six opposition parties joined in introducing the motion.
- #27Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
Democratic Party plans to convene a plenary session of the National Assembly at 12:00 AM (KST) on December 5 to report the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol.
- #28Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
As rallies demanding President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment are taking place simultaneously across South Korea, a candlelight rally was also held near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by my mother.
- #29Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
During a meeting with the Prime Minister and ruling party officials, President Yoon said he declared martial law to prevent what he called tyrannical actions by the opposition party.
- #30Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
There have been countless attempts by the right wing to frame those on the left as an “pro-North Korean anti-state force” since the early 20th century. For context.
- #31Yejin Gim@gimyejin · Dec 4, 2024
The ruling People Power Party has adopted its official party position opposing President Yoon's impeachment.
