South Korea Rejects Military Emergency Status Amidst Calls for President’s Resignation
Thousands of protesters gathered in front of South Korea’s National Assembly Building Wednesday, demanding that President Yoon Suk Yeol resign following the recent declaration and stiff opposition to a military emergency status.
Demonstrations remained peaceful, with protesters holding signs calling for Yoon’s resignation. Quoations from The New York Times were observed with demonstrators chanting, "Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol," echoing their principal demand.
The unrest followed Yoon’s decision to enact military emergency status, marking the most dramatic political events in South Korea’s political landscape in 44 years. He rationalized the declaration as a measure to quell anti-state forces that threatened to undermine the country’s democratic order. He also labeled the National Assembly a "den of criminals and dictators," further inflaming tensions.
The military emergency status, however, was short-lived and met with an immediate backlash. Lawmakers rapidly assembled at the National Assembly, where they convened a plenary session to vote on the status. Attended by approximately 190 members, the discussion concluded with an overwhelming rejection of the controversial measure.
In response to the Assembly’s resolution, President Yoon convened a cabinet meeting, ultimately agreeing to retract the emergency declaration.
The demonstrations at the National Assembly came in the wake of a potent political rift in Seoul. Police officers in store-bought vests, some pausing with riot shields at their side, were sighted near Gwanghwamun Square and the Gyeongbokgung Palace as a precaution against further unrest.
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**Host:** Joining us today is Dr. Kim Seong-Eun, a political science professor at Sogang University. Dr. Kim, we just witnessed President Yoon back down from declaring a military emergency status after fierce public backlash. Considering the gravity of this situation, how do you think ordinary South Koreans are receiving this? Are they relieved, frustrated, or something else entirely?
