Main opposition leader decries martial law declaration as 'illegal,' 'unconstitutional'

Han Dong-hoon, right, leader of the ruling People Power Party, shakes hands with Lee Jae-myung, chief of the main opposition Democratic Party, before passing a resolution demanding the immediate lifting of martial law, at the National Assembly in Seoul, Dec. 4. Newsis

The leader of the main opposition party on Wednesday criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of emergency martial law as "illegal," and "unconstitutional," claiming that it proceeded without meeting legal requirements.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung made the remarks after Yoon made the surprise declaration, accusing the opposition party of "anti-state" activities, with the National Assembly having voted to demand the lifting of the decree hours later.

"(The declaration) is illegal and unconstitutional as it has not at all met actual requirements for emergency martial law declaration that are stipulated in the Constitution and the Martial Law Act," Lee told reporters.

"Emergency martial law (declaration) was null and void in the first place, and the National Assembly's decision (to demand the lifting of it) reaffirms it is null and void," he added.

Lee also argued that the declaration came without going through a Cabinet approval process. (Yonhap)