South Korea has imposed martial law. What we know by this hour

South Korean President Yun Seok-yol on the evening of December 3 announced the imposition of martial law emergency in the country amid power paralysis caused by impeachment attempts. He accused the opposition of controlling the parliament and sympathizing with the DPRK. After this statement, protesters began to gather outside the Seoul National Assembly building. About what is known about the situation in South Korea - in the material "Izvestia".

How it all began

- During a televised briefing on December 3, South Korean President Yun Seok-yeol declared martial law. He announced attempts by the National Assembly (South Korea's unicameral parliament) to impeach more than 20 government officials since the inauguration of the new government in June. He also criticized the Democratic Party (has a majority in parliament) for its intention to cut next year's budget.

- Rallies and demonstrations are now banned in the country, the National Assembly, local councils and political parties are suspended, and the media is now under strict surveillance by the Martial Law Commissariat. Also, the Institute of English Criminal Procedure Habeas corpus is now banned and a martial law violator can now be arrested without a warrant.

Protests and storming of Parliament

- The crowd of protesters at the entrance to the National Assembly building is growing despite the night time - it was around midnight in Seoul when the events began. The opposition leader announced his intention to defy martial law, which was supported by his supporters. People are being held back by riot police, and the passage to the parliament has been blocked by buses. Additional columns of equipment have been seen arriving at the capital's entrances.

- A large number of military equipment was brought to the streets , a helicopter of the American Air Force was seen flying over. There are no passers-by on the streets.

- According to ATOR, about 5.3 thousand Russians may be in the Republic of Korea now. They are urged to remain calm, follow the recommendations of the authorities and refrain from participating in mass events.

- Parliamentarians call on soldiers not to follow the orders of the president and say that Yoon Seok-yol "betrayed the people" with his decree. They also voted to lift martial law, with all 190 lawmakers in favor.

- Armed forces storm the parliament building. SWAT and military forces enter it through the windows.

- Later, South Korean police refused to carry out the orders of the martial law commander, and the leader of the pro-presidential party recognized that martial law was no longer in force. Unconfirmed reports are massaging in the publics that Yoon Seok-yeol could be arrested as early as this night.

- Yoon Seok-yeol took over as president of the republic in May 2022, he was elected from the main opposition right-wing conservative People's Power Party. Prior to that, he was attorney general from 2019 to 2021. Since taking office, Yoon has had to work hard to advance his interests against the opposition-controlled parliament.