Soldiers withdraw from the National Assembly in Seoul in the early hours of Dec. 4, following the passage of a resolution during an emergency plenary session urging the president to revoke martial law. President Yoon Suk Yeol had declared martial law the previous night, citing the need to root out pro-North Korean forces and uphold the constitutional order. Yonhap
Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has called for strengthening readiness and vigilance across the military, after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law late Tuesday.
Kim, who proposed the martial law to Yoon, has also ordered a meeting of key commanders, according to the ministry.
The ministry has shifted to contingency mode, with all ministry employees ordered to show up for work and commanders of battalions and larger units placed on emergency stand-by.
Warplanes were also reportedly conducting mid-air surveillance activities as part of such move.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su has been named leader of martial law command, while the Joint Chiefs of Staff will oversee martial law-related affairs.
Park announced a decree that bans all political activities, puts media and publishers under state control and orders medical personnel on walkout to immediately return to work within 48 hours.
Yoon declared emergency martial law, accusing the opposition side of controlling parliament and paralyzing the government by conducting "anti-state activities." (Yonhap)
English (United States)