Police Control Access, Military Enforces Suppression... Tense 6 Hours at the National Assembly [Report]

"This is my workplace!"

President Yoon Seok-yeol declared an unexpected 'martial law' late at night on the 3rd. After the declaration, riot police lined up in two rows to block the main gate of the National Assembly. National Assembly staff trying to enter the premises had to shout to be let in in front of the blocked main gate. A scuffle between those trying to enter and the police blocking them lasted for over an hour. After the standoff, the police allowed only lawmakers and their aides to enter selectively, then resumed controlling all personnel repeatedly. Some staff pushed the police roughly, saying, "I have to return to my workplace."

On the afternoon of the 3rd, when martial law was declared, police were controlling access in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Gong Byung-sun

Police buses were parked horizontally in front of all entrances located on the east, west, south, and north sides of the National Assembly. Police personnel were densely stationed at about 10-meter intervals in front of fences placed between the entrances. Attempts to sneak in by climbing over fences also took place. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, moved to the Members' Office Building while live streaming on YouTube and quickly climbed over the black fence. Just after 11 p.m., a reporter from this paper was also able to enter by climbing over the fence near the third gate of the National Assembly. This was possible after a person who appeared to be a National Assembly aide ran over and helped by lifting the reporter's leg.

The Martial Law Command, led by Army General Park An-su, issued a proclamation. South Korea's martial law was declared for the first time in 45 years since the martial law declared immediately after the death of former President Park Chung-hee in 1979. The Martial Law Command announced that from 11 p.m., all political activities would be prohibited and all media and publications would be subject to the control of the Martial Law Command. It also stated that violators of the proclamation would be punished under the Martial Law Act. The reason for the proclamation was stated as "to protect liberal democracy from the threat of subversion by anti-state forces operating within the Republic of Korea."

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, and in the early morning of the 4th, martial law troops are attempting to enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

At 11:45 p.m., as lawmakers gathered one after another in the main chamber of the National Assembly to vote on the 'lifting of martial law,' the sound of helicopters began to be heard over the National Assembly. Airborne troops were deployed to the National Assembly. The 'elite' 1st Airborne Special Forces Brigade, along with the 9th Airborne Special Forces Brigade and the 707th Special Mission Group, were deployed to carry out the martial law orders. They headed toward the main building armed with machine guns and other weapons. Aides waiting near the main entrance were visibly flustered but began blocking the entrance by grabbing desks, chairs, trash cans, and other objects.

Around midnight on the 4th, a physical confrontation began as martial law troops who rushed near the main building were blocked by National Assembly aides. The aides defended the main chamber by pushing away soldiers wearing helmets and carrying guns with their bare bodies. Even inside the tense main chamber, urgent voices were heard. Speaker Woo Won-shik said, "Normally, when martial law is declared, the president must notify the National Assembly immediately, but (this was not done)," and stated that the National Assembly would follow proper procedures. Some lawmakers responded emotionally, saying, "Hurry up!" "Why not?" and "The aides are fighting!"

At 12:39 a.m. on the 4th, just as the main session was about to begin, martial law troops broke the glass of the People Power Party's representative office on the second floor of the main building and entered, with armed soldiers rushing inside. Sounds of pounding were also heard from the main chamber. Lawmakers seated there murmured anxiously, "Are soldiers coming here too?" Eventually, around 1 a.m., the 'Resolution to Demand the Lifting of Martial Law' was safely introduced and passed unanimously by all 190 attending lawmakers.

The resolution passed by the National Assembly must be approved by the Cabinet. The Presidential Office and the Prime Minister's Office delayed for about two and a half hours, making excuses that it was difficult to meet the quorum because it was early morning. During the delay, lawmakers did not leave the main chamber and waited overnight. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo only informed the National Assembly around 5 a.m. that "the resolution was approved at the Cabinet meeting at 4:30 a.m."

In the early morning of the 4th, opposition party lawmakers stayed overnight in the plenary hall after a resolution demanding the lifting of martial law was passed at the National Assembly. President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law in an emergency statement on the night of the 3rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Both ruling and opposition parties pointed out illegal elements in President Yoon's martial law declaration. Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, said immediately after the martial law was lifted, "I apologize for today's tragic situation," and added, "The president must explain in detail personally." The Democratic Party announced it would submit an impeachment motion against President Yoon to the National Assembly as early as that day. Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, harshly criticized, "The presidential office, which failed to stop the mad president, is an anti-state force."