Civic groups urge end to martial law, warn soldiers not to target citizens

Citizens gather in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, shortly after midnight, Wednesday, shouting chants demanding the repeal of martial law in response to President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration . Yonhap

Following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Tuesday night, numerous civic organizations issued statements demanding the immediate repeal of the measure. They condemned the declaration as "unconstitutional" and a "direct attack on South Korea's democracy."

People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) said, “The reasons President Yoon provided for declaring martial law, including the National Assembly’s impeachment proceedings, do not meet the requirements outlined in Article 2 of the Martial Law Act. This declaration is unconstitutional, unlawful, and intolerable in a democratic society.”

The group urged the National Assembly to hold the president accountable, saying, “This declaration is a challenge to the democracy forged through bloodshed and sacrifices. The people will never accept it."

The statement called for the National Assembly to immediately demand the repeal of martial law under Article 77, Paragraph 5 of the Constitution, which requires the president to rescind martial law following a majority vote in the legislature.

It further criticized Yoon, stating, "A president who seeks to destroy democracy and constitutional order to maintain power can no longer be called the president of the Republic of Korea. The PSPD will stand alongside the citizens to defend democracy."

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions issued a warning in its statement, saying, "The people will not forgive anti-democratic martial law."

It compared the declaration to actions by past military dictatorships, such as those under Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan, who used martial law to extend their power.

“This marks the first time in 44 years that such an undemocratic and irrational measure has been implemented,” it said. “Faced with a crisis of his own making, Yoon has resorted to martial law, revealing his commitment to anti-democratic dictatorship.”

The Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) criticized the declaration as an overreach, aimed at undermining democratic checks and balances.

“This appears to be a reaction to the National Assembly’s impeachment of prosecutors and ministers and its budgetary control,” the group said. “The president must immediately repeal martial law and provide a responsible explanation to the public.”

The Military Human Rights Center also condemned the declaration as illegal, calling it “an act of treason and a declaration of war against the citizens of South Korea.”

The organization specifically addressed soldiers moving toward the National Assembly, urging them to remember, “You must not aim your weapons at your parents, siblings, children, and friends. Let us protect this country.”

The groups collectively vowed to continue their efforts to resist the martial law declaration and uphold South Korea’s democratic principles.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.