Kwon Hyangyeop: "Attempts to Trample the National Assembly with Military Boots Must Not Be Repeated"

'Martial Law Act Amendment' Passes National Assembly Plenary Session

The "Martial Law Act Amendment," proposed by Kwon Hyangyeop, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye in South Jeolla Province, passed the final plenary session of the National Assembly on July 3, 2025.

Representative Kwon first introduced the amendment on December 19, 2024. Subsequently, the National Defense Committee approved the bill as a committee substitute on June 25, 2025, and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed the committee substitute on July 3, 2025.

Kwon Hyangyeop, Member of the National Assembly.

The amendment aims to address unconstitutional and unlawful procedural issues that emerged during a series of events, including the declaration of emergency martial law by former President Yoon Sukyeol on December 3, 2024, and the National Assembly’s resolution demanding the lifting of martial law. Key provisions include: imposing an obligation to submit Cabinet meeting minutes to the National Assembly when martial law is declared; prohibiting restrictions on access and interference with meetings for members of the National Assembly and its staff during martial law; banning the entry of military and police personnel into the National Assembly during martial law; and newly establishing a provision guaranteeing the attendance of detained lawmakers at plenary sessions to demand the lifting of martial law.

The amendment also includes provisions to protect fundamental rights, such as deleting clauses that restricted the freedom of residence and movement not enumerated in the Constitution, and removing the military court’s authority to postpone trials for one month after the lifting of emergency martial law.

Representative Kwon emphasized, "Martial law must be strictly controlled by the Constitution and the law," adding, "Attempts to trample on the National Assembly must never be repeated on the soil of the Republic of Korea."