South Korean cabinet approves parliament's decision to lift martial law: The timing had drawn attention

The martial law declared by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, citing alleged anti-state activities by the opposition, did not last long. The decision by the South Korean National Assembly to lift martial law was approved by the cabinet at approximately 04:30 local time.

Thus, the surprise martial law declared by Yoon came to an end within about 6 hours.

In a statement regarding the matter, Yoon said, "Last night at 23:00, I declared martial law with determination to save the nation from anti-state forces attempting to paralyze the country's basic functioning and the constitutional order of free democracy," adding, "However, a request to lift martial law came from the National Assembly, and I have withdrawn the troops mobilized to implement it."

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY: MARTIAL LAW HAS BECOME NULL AND VOID

A statement from the Office of the Speaker of the South Korean National Assembly indicated that the martial law declared in the country became "null and void" following the vote held in the assembly. The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) also announced that the troops mobilized to implement martial law had returned to their bases.

YOON HAD DECLARED MARTIAL LAW

Claiming that the opposition was engaged in anti-state activities, Yoon had announced that he was declaring martial law. In his statement, Yoon had said, "I am declaring martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eliminate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that plunder the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order." Following the declaration of martial law, South Korean Army Chief of Staff Park An-su was appointed as the martial law commander, and the activities of the assembly and political parties were banned.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY HAD HELD A VOTE

The South Korean National Assembly, which convened after Yoon declared martial law, held a vote on the martial law decision. In the vote, in which 190 of the 300 members of parliament participated, all 190 members voted in favor of lifting martial law. Following this development, Yoon announced that martial law would be lifted.

THE TIMING HAD DRAWN ATTENTION

It was noted that Yoon's short-lived martial law decision came after the opposition Democratic Party rejected the budget bill in the parliamentary budget committee and submitted motions for the impeachment of the state auditor and the prosecutor general for abuse of power. Yoon's move was interpreted as an attempt to bring the opposition under control.

RIGHT TO DECLARE MARTIAL LAW EXISTS

According to Article 77 of the South Korean constitution, the president can declare martial law in cases of "war, armed conflict, national emergency, or situations required by public safety and order." It is known that the last martial law in South Korean history was declared via a military coup, remained in effect for 440 days between 1979 and 1981, and was also ended by the military. Yoon's short-lived martial law implementation marks the 13th declaration of martial law in the country's history.