"Emergency Martial Law Tramples on Free Democratic Constitutional Order" Seoul National University Student Council Issues Condemnation Statement

The Student Council of Seoul National University has strongly criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law.

Seoul National University Main Gate, Gwanak-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang

On the 4th, the Seoul National University Student Council stated in a press release, "The recent declaration of martial law is clearly an act that tramples on the free democratic constitutional order of the Republic of Korea," and argued, "It is clearly unconstitutional and illegal under Article 77, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea and Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the Martial Law Act."

They continued, "What is even more tragic is that this undemocratic martial law attempted to threaten and trample even our academic sanctuary," adding, "The proclamation restricted freedoms of the press, publication, assembly, and association, showing no respect for our sanctuary, which should have been full of vitality through free criticism and discussion."

Furthermore, they stated, "If state power does not uphold the values of democracy, we will willingly resist power and overthrow injustice," and criticized, "We condemn Yoon Suk-yeol's actions that brutally trampled on the democratic ideals of April 19, which stood against injustice."

Earlier, immediately after the declaration of martial law, the Seoul National University Student Council convened an emergency Student Council Steering Committee meeting at the Student Council Office in the Seoul National University Student Union Building that morning. The Student Council plans to hold a general student assembly at 5 p.m. on the 5th at the Acropolis Plaza on the Gwanak Campus of Seoul National University in Gwanak-gu, Seoul. The assembly requires attendance of at least one-tenth of all undergraduate students at Seoul National University to be valid.