Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, "Relieved by the Lifting of Martial Law, Will Manage Provincial Affairs to Prevent Residents' Anxiety"

"It is fortunate that the martial law was lifted without major confusion according to the National Assembly's resolution."

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, made this remark regarding the emergency martial law declared and lifted last night by President Yoon Seok-yeol.

On the morning of the 4th, Governor Park held an emergency expanded executive meeting at the provincial office and delivered a public message to minimize inconvenience to residents following the declaration and lifting of martial law.

Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is delivering a public message regarding the declaration and lifting of the presidential emergency martial law at an urgent expanded executive meeting at the provincial office. Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Office

Governor Park said, "Last night, martial law was declared for the first time in 45 years in the history of the constitution, so residents must have been very surprised. I think it is very fortunate that it was lifted within six hours at the request of the National Assembly."

He added, "Although martial law has been lifted, its aftereffects may remain in residents' daily lives," and urged, "Public officials should pay special attention to prevent anxiety and unrest among residents."

"There may be temporary impacts on residents' economic lives, prices, investment attraction, trade such as exports, transactions with foreign countries, and national credit," he said. "Relevant departments should thoroughly manage these to minimize the effects."

Furthermore, he stated, "We must actively cooperate with related organizations to prevent local disturbances or unrest," and emphasized, "Legitimate expressions of residents' opinions should be properly conducted, and any illegal actions that adversely affect residents' lives must be strictly dealt with."

He continued, "Residents may experience psychological unrest temporarily due to the declaration of martial law, but I hope they trust the Gyeongnam provincial government, feel reassured, and continue their livelihoods."

"I, along with provincial public officials, will operate the provincial administration without wavering and actively strive to ensure that martial law has no impact on residents' lives," he added.

Earlier, Gyeongnam Province convened senior officials at midnight on the 4th to discuss matters related to martial law, and public officials maintained emergency duty until the martial law was lifted.