Amid South Korea's martial law crisis, reports have emerged suggesting the arrests of opposition leaders Lee Jae-myung, Han Dong-hoon, and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik. However, as of now, no arrests have been made. According to Yonhap, arrest teams have been dispatched, but the politicians are not in custody.
President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law during a surprise late-night address on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate what he called "shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces." He stated the move was necessary to safeguard the nation's freedom and constitutional order.
"I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order," he said.
Soon after, protesters gathered outside the National Assembly, demanding Yoon's resignation and arrest. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, in a YouTube livestream, called for public support and vowed to defend democracy. He even broadcast himself climbing the National Assembly walls to bypass barricades erected by government forces.
Amid the escalating tensions, parliament voted to overturn the martial law declaration, with 190 members rejecting it as invalid.
Calling the president’s action "illegal and unconstitutional," Lee Jae-myung said, "To the police and the members of the armed forces: any orders from the president stemming from this illegal martial law declaration are clearly unlawful, as they violate the constitution and the law."
"From this moment on, I urge all members of the armed forces and police to swiftly return to your rightful positions and faithfully carry out your original duties," he added.