South Korea declares martial law for first time in 50 years over North Korea threat

It is a whole new world in South Korea where for the first time in almost half a century an ’emergency martial law’ has been declared over a threat from North Korea.
President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday said he had no choice but to resort to such a measure to safeguard free and constitutional order in his country. He accused opposition parties for allegedly taking hostage of parliament to throw the country into a crisis and for sympathising with North Korea.
In a televised address to the nation, the president vowed to ‘eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.’

www.msn.com...

This seems quite a turn of events.
The opposition are not happy,saying its due to the President loosing support amid scandals involving his wife,but the President is accusing the opposition of "anti state activities" including showing support for the North.

Opposition protests have started alread and police are clashing with the protestors-
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Martial law declared due to 'domestic political issue' A South Korean political commentator has said President Yoon Suk Yeol's move to declare martial law is due to a "purely domestic political issue".
The South Korean president has previously dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials.
Political commentator Henry Shinn told Sky News that the president has used these investigations to claim pro-North Korean forces are trying to topple the government.

news.sky.com... 45#liveblog-body

No word from the North so far.
Things hotting up globally by the looks of it.

Agenda free TV covering it-

The declaration of martial law in full:

To safeguard liberal democracy and protect the safety of the people against anti-state forces threatening to overthrow the Republic of Korea, the following measures are declared nationwide effective December 3, 2024, at 11:00 PM.

1. All political activities, including the operations of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, political associations, assemblies, and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited.

2. Any act that denies or seeks to overthrow the liberal democratic system, including the dissemination of fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda, is prohibited.

3. All media and publications will be subject to the control of the Martial Law Command.

4. Strikes, work slowdowns, and gatherings that incite social disorder are forbidden.

5. All medical professionals, including resident doctors currently on strike or absent from medical duties, must return to their work and perform their responsibilities within 48 hours. Violators will be dealt with under martial law.

6. Measures will be implemented to minimize inconvenience for ordinary citizens, except for anti-state forces and those attempting to overthrow the system.

Violators of this proclamation will be subject to arrest, detention, and search and seizure without a warrant under Article 9 of the Martial Law Act (Special Measures by the Martial Law Commander) and punished under Article 14 of the Martial Law Act (Penalties).

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Many commentators are already saying this is a blatant power grab by the current President rather than a direct threat from the North.
Cops and military are preventing opposition party members from entering parliment building.

a reply to: onestonemonkey

The articles I've read on this make it sound more like a coup.

a reply to: onestonemonkey

Strange times, interesting times. It almost seems as if the changing of the guard has a lot of people running scared and they are making wild mistakes. I hate to make everything about the US and Trump, but it seems to all be rooted in strangely similar timing. Maybe it's all just a coincidence.

I don't think the current President has a majority. How does that work?

a reply to: Oldcarpy2
They are saying that the opposition were not allowed to vote on the declaration,as they were blocked from entering the building where the vote for martial law took place-sounds pretty damn shady!

Many commentators are already saying this is a blatant power grab by the current President rather than a direct threat from the North.

a reply to: onestonemonkey

Here is another report. I hope this doesn't give the Biden administration any ideas. South Korea is a strong ally of ours, I don't like the look and feel of this. The next 24 hours will be telling.

Developing: South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol Declares Emergency Martial Law

Did this come as a surprise to Biden?

This is exactly what the liberal left in the United States would love to do, their complaints almost sound identical to the current rhetoric the leftest here continue to crow about.

Any act that denies or seeks to overthrow the liberal democratic system, including the dissemination of fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda, is prohibited.

And who determines what is fake vs real?

a reply to: onestonemonkey

I didn’t check your links, but I read your summary. I saw this reported by CNN this morning, and Variety.

I still can’t find any explicit reason reported for this declaration.

a reply to: some_stupid_name

This sounds totally political. What threat?

Agenda free TV are saying they just had a vote which resulted in a majority of MPs voting to lift/reverse the Martial law order.
The Vote was 190 in favor,not all MPs were present but there are only 300 in total which gives a majority.
The South Korean constitution says that if a majority votes to lift,then it must be lifted.

So it MAY be over already!

What if Trump steps in and unites Korea? Possible?

a reply to: Kaiju666

Highly unlikely! 🧐

originally posted by: ByeByeAmericanPie
a reply to: some_stupid_name

This sounds totally political. What threat?

Coup's generally are political. The threat right now is to the free people of South Korea. Their parliament has just voted against the presidents declaration of martial law which he is obligated to obey but will he, we'll see.

originally posted by: some_stupid_name

originally posted by: ByeByeAmericanPie
a reply to: some_stupid_name

This sounds totally political. What threat?

Coup's generally are political. The threat right now is to the free people of South Korea. Their parliament has just voted against the presidents declaration of martial law which he is obligated to obey but will he, we'll see.

Thanks for the latest update. The people should demand the current President of South Korea vacate his position. If he doesn't, the military (who are also South Korea citizens) can get rid of him.

Society all over the World is falling apart how can all that's happening not be pointing to a World war .

Martial law has been cancelled already, as demanded by Parliament.

a reply to: WeMustCare
Was that the shortest Martial law in History?

It may be-But although it has been voted to be resolved,the final decision is with the President according to Steve on Agenda free TV.
The military are awaiting the presidents decision.

Opposition want him impeached now.Not surprised!

a reply to: onestonemonkey

Is war returning to the Korean peninsula?

This will drag the U.S. into the conflict seeing how we still have troops stationed there. This is not good

a reply to: TheSemiskepticII
Really hope not.
Guess it depends on the reaction of the Wrong Un in the North-Hes almost obligated to try something while the south is in turmoil-even if its just coz he's feeling left out,or wants more handouts.

I was just reading the US are pulling out their A-10s from South Korea by January-But may be replacing them with StormBreaker missiles,so hopefully there won't be a defensive gap.