South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday for the first time in the country since 1980.
Yoon's announcement saw the president accusing the country's opposition of controlling parliament, sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-government actions.
Here is the full text of Reuters' translation of the military announcement:
“In order to protect free democracy from the threat of a coup d'état of the Republic of Korea by anti-state forces operating within the Republic of Korea and to protect the safety of the people, the following is hereby declared throughout the Republic of Korea that at 23:00 on 3 December 2024:
1. All political activities, including the activities of the National Assembly, local councils, and political organizations, political organizations, gatherings and demonstrations, are prohibited.
2. All actions that deny or attempt to subvert the liberal democratic system are prohibited, and false news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda are prohibited.
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3. All media and publications are under the control of the Martial Law Command.
4. Strikes, work stoppages and gatherings that incite public disorder are prohibited.
5. All medical workers, including trainee doctors, who are on strike or have left the medical profession must return to their duties within 48 hours and work honestly. Those who break the law will be punished in accordance with Martial Law.
6. Innocent civilians, with the exception of anti-government forces and other rebel forces, will face measures to minimize disruption to their daily lives.
Those who violate the above declaration may be arrested, detained, and searched without a warrant under the Martial Law Act of the Republic of Korea (Special Measures Authority of the Martial Law Commander), and will be punished in accordance with Article. 14 of the Military (Penalties) Act.
Commander of the Armed Forces, General Park An-su, on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.”
–Reported by Ju-min Park; Edited by Mark Heinrich
