(3 Dec 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Seoul, South Korea – 4 December 2024
1. Wide of main assembly hall at South Korean parliament
2. Close of National Assembly emblem
3. Various of lawmakers watching South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s televised remarks saying he will lift martial law
4. Wide of news conference
5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Kim Byung Joo, lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party:
"We had raised the issue that President Yoon Suk Yeol and this administration could declare martial law at any time in the worst-case scenario, but no one could have predicted that such actions would happen so quickly. In fact, the Democratic Party has consistently pointed out that if impeachment (of Yoon) became a reality he would draw the sword of martial law. But no one could have imagined that it would be done in such a reckless and absurd manner. The Democratic Party will protect our people to the end. I ask that our citizens to stand with the Democratic Party and help protect the Republic of Korea."
6. Wide of news conference
7. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Jo Seung-lae, lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party:
"It’s the situation where the president’s violation of the constitution and the law is becoming clear, and the president is committing a serious crime that constitutes a rebellion."
8. Various of parliament building exterior ++NIGHT SHOTS++
STORYLINE:
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed during a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule.
Police and military personnel were seen leaving the grounds of parliament following the bipartisan vote, and the declaration was formally lifted around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting.
Yoon imposed martial law late Tuesday, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea.
Less than three hours later, parliament acted, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the martial law was “invalid.”
Kim Byung Joo, lawmaker of the main opposition Democratic Party, deemed the president’s actions as "reckless" and "absurd."
The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own party.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers would remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order.
Woo applauded how troops quickly left the Assembly after the vote.
While announcing his plan to lift martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliament’s attempts to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors and lawmakers.
Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker, claimed that security camera footage following Yoon’s declaration showed that troops moved in a way that suggested they were trying to arrest Lee, Woo and even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party.
Officials from Yoon’s office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday.
Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment.
Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers’ vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage.
AP Video shot by Yong Ho Kim
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