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Declaration of martial law in South Korea

South Korea's top officials caught by surprise by declaration of martial law

Members of the People Power Party, to which Yoon Suk Yeol belongs, reportedly learned about the imposition of martial law at the same time as the rest of the country, during the president's televised address

SEOUL, December 4. /TASS/. Senior officials, aides, and party associates of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have stated that they were unaware of his plan to impose martial law in the country, the Korea Herald newspaper reported.

According to the publication, Prime Minister Han Duck Soo and the rest of the Cabinet were not informed in advance about the imminent declaration of martial law. They were only notified during an emergency cabinet meeting convened "shortly before" the president's official announcement.

Members of the People Power Party, to which Yoon Suk Yeol belongs, reportedly learned about the imposition of martial law at the same time as the rest of the country, during the president's televised address. The publication cites comments from party members made after the speech, expressing shock at the announcement and noting that the decision was not communicated in advance within the party. Additionally, party leaders Han Dong Hoon and Choo Kyung Ho were also apparently left in the dark about Yoon Suk Yeol's plans, as mentioned in a conversation with reporters outside the National Assembly on Wednesday night.

Presidential staff were reportedly informed about the president's plans just an hour before his address to the nation. According to the newspaper, they were urgently summoned to the office around 9:30 p.m. (12:30 p.m. GMT) on Tuesday, with the president's televised address beginning at 10:28 p.m. (1:28 p.m. GMT).

The newspaper also reports the large role played by National Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun in the ordeal, as he was the one to propose declaring martial law to the president. The Korea Herald recalls that he was appointed to the post in August. Some opposition politicians voiced concerns at that time that Yoon Suk Yeol might consider such a step and put the country on the path toward authoritarian rule.

On the evening of December 3, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in the country. A few hours later, the parliament voted to lift it. Later, when the leader promised to reverse his decision, the Cabinet of Ministers supported him. All this happened in less than six hours. South Korea has not seen martial law for 45 years.

On December 4, the opposition initiated impeachment proceedings against the South Korean president. Officials are expected to vote on the matter this week.

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