In a surprising turn of events, South Korean Prime Minister Yoon Suk Yeol reversed his decision to declare martial law, as lawmakers unanimously voted to lift the declaration. The move drew widespread relief and criticism, with many questioning the president’s motives and the state of democracy in the country.
Why was martial law declared?
On Monday, President Yoon announced the declared martial law, citing the need to protect the country from “anti-national activities” and “pro-North Korean militarism.” But opposition leaders quickly condemned the move as an unconstitutional attempt to consolidate power.
Legislators Jointly Reverse the Declaration
In a rare show of solidarity, lawmakers from across the political spectrum gathered in the National Assembly to overturn the presidential decree. The resolution was passed unanimously, with many lawmakers expressing concerns about the erosion of democratic values and potential human rights violations
The reversal of martial law has generated a lot of relief and criticism. Many praised lawmakers for standing up to the president and defending democratic principles. Others questioned the president’s motives and the possible consequences of his actions.
“This is a victory for democracy and the rule of law,” an opposition spokesman said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that the president no longer seeks to destroy our democratic institutions.
The incident has also raised concerns about the state of democracy in South Korea. Many have questioned the president’s democratic intentions