Presidential Office to Foreign Media: "Emergency Martial Law Implemented Within Constitutional Framework"

Reportedly Explained the Inevitability of Martial Law

The Presidential Office on the 4th reportedly stated to major foreign media that the declaration and lifting of martial law by President Yoon Seok-yeol were carried out within the bounds of the constitution.

A scene is being broadcast showing President Yoon Suk-yeol announcing the lifting of the martial law declaration through an additional statement at the early dawn of the 4th at the Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Seoul-based reports by major foreign media on the same day, the Presidential Office said, "There are criticisms that the declaration of martial law was too excessive and that procedures were not followed, but strictly speaking, it was done within a constitutional framework."

The Presidential Office issued an explanation to convey an accurate position amid growing global interest and numerous inquiries from foreign media regarding the martial law situation that occurred overnight, and it is reported that foreign media wrote articles based on this.

The Presidential Office explained to foreign media that, as President Yoon mentioned in his martial law declaration statement, it was an unavoidable response to forces undermining national security, such as the opposition party’s push for impeachment of key public officials and unilateral passage of laws and budgets, and an attempt to normalize and restore state affairs.

It is also reported that the Presidential Office explained to foreign media that, to minimize damage to the lives of ordinary citizens and the economy, an emergency statement was announced late at night on the 3rd, and the deployment of martial law troops to the National Assembly was made one hour after the statement was issued.