After the bill demanding the lifting of martial law was passed by the South Korean parliament, President Yoon Suk Yeol announced early Wednesday that he would be lifting the martial law following this development.
Yoon Suk Yeol stated, “As of 11 p.m. yesterday, out of the will to save the country, I decisively declared a state of emergency against anti-state forces that attempted to cripple the country’s basic functions and destroy the liberal democratic constitutional order.”
“However, just moments ago, the parliament demanded the lifting of martial law, and as a result, the military personnel involved in martial law operations have been withdrawn.”
“We will accept the parliament’s request through a cabinet meeting and proceed with the lifting of martial law.”
“Nevertheless, even though we have promptly convened a cabinet meeting, it is currently early morning, and the required legal quorum for decision-making has not been met yet. Once the conditions are met, we will immediately lift martial law.”
“However, I urge the parliament to immediately cease reckless actions that aim to cripple the country’s functions through repeated impeachment, legislation, and budget operations.”
Late Tuesday night, President Yoon Suk Yeol, in an unscheduled television address, mentioned that the purpose of implementing martial law was to ensure that “a free South Korea is protected from the threat of North Korean communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements.”
In response, the United States expressed its “serious concern” about the events unfolding in its ally South Korea and hoped that the situation could be resolved peacefully according to the rule of law. President Biden, who was visiting Angola, also stated that he was monitoring the latest developments in South Korea closely.