South Korea’s National Assembly on Thursday approved a revision of the country’s martial law regulations, banning military or police interference in parliamentary proceedings without prior approval from the Speaker. The move follows former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s surprise declaration of martial law in December, which shocked the nation and forced lawmakers to scale the National Assembly’s walls to override the decree before it was lifted just six hours later.
South Korea’s parliament has approved major changes to the country’s martial law framework, months after former President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the nation by briefly invoking emergency powers in December.
Under the new rules passed Thursday, military and police forces are now barred from entering the National Assembly without prior approval from the Speaker, and any attempt to block lawmakers from accessing the building is explicitly prohibited.
The reforms come in response to a dramatic standoff late last year, when Yoon declared martial law without warning. Security forces surrounded the National Assembly, forcing legislators to scale fences and slip through barricades to gain access to the chamber.
Lawmakers ultimately overturned the decree just six hours later, ending one of the most turbulent political moments in South Korea’s recent history.
The swift passage of the revised rules signals growing concern over the abuse of presidential emergency powers and a renewed emphasis on protecting democratic institutions from military interference.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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