Summary (updated)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday to counter “anti-state” forces, accusing opposition lawmakers of pro-North Korean sympathies.

Parliament, controlled by the opposition, quickly voted to nullify the declaration, calling it unconstitutional.

Protesters and lawmakers denounced Yoon’s move as authoritarian, echoing South Korea’s pre-democracy era.

Military personnel withdrew following the vote, and Yoon promised to lift martial law after a Cabinet meeting.

Critics warned of democratic backsliding. This marks South Korea’s first martial law declaration since democratization in 1987.

  • bdonvr@thelemmy.club
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    12
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    The BBC reports the military isn’t gonna listen to the vote

    It’s like 4am there though so might be quiet for a bit.

    General strike called for by one of the big unions too until Yoon resigns

    • CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      12
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      Jesus Christ.

      Edit: Okay, he said he’s going to withdraw it, like he’s supposed to when the parliament votes for it, but this is such a whirlwind I have to expect the unexpected.