SOUTH Korean opposition lawmakers have tabled a motion to impeach the President after his martial law U-turn.
President Yoon Suk Yeol yesterday declared military rule leading to soldiers storming the parliament and clashing with protesters in shocking scenes.
GettyTroops clash with protesters after martial law was declared in South Korea yesterday[/caption]
APSouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law yesterday[/caption]
AFPMartial law would mean military rule for Korea[/caption]
Lawmakers have now tabled a motion to sack him after he backed down from the declaration in a humiliating U-turn.
The vote to depose him will come later this week, but South Korea’s parliament voted 190-0 to lift the martial law late last night.
In a shock television address, Yoon declared martial law saying he needed to free the country from North Korean forces.
Yoon said: “I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order.”
His decision led to chaos, including civilians forming a human shield against heavily armed troops as they tried to seize the parliament.
What is martial law?
MARTIAL law is the temporary replacement of a civilian government with military rule – typically during war or major disasters.
Historically, it has been brought in after coups, during protests, to suppress political dissent or stabilise insurrections.
It involves the military taking control of the normal legal system and control of civilians.
Ordinary laws and civil liberties may be suspended under martial law.
It is a drastic measure with significant implications for individual freedoms and the rule of law.
While it’s meant to be temporary, martial law can be indefinite.
AFPSoldiers try to enter the National Assembly in Seoul[/caption]
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