The National Assembly of South Korea has voted to pass major amendments to the nation’s martial law laws, outlawing any attempt to shut out lawmakers from entering the legislature. The action follows the political upheaval caused by the former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law during December last year.
Sanctioned on Thursday, the amended law prohibits strictly military and police authorities from entering the National Assembly complex without permission from the Speaker beforehand. It also bars any attempts to stop legislators trying to enter the parliamentary compound.
The legislative reforms were triggered by a scandalous move by President Yoon to declare martial law, and security personnel were deployed to cordon off the National Assembly. Legislators were photographed scaling the assembly’s fence to go around the cordon and attend an emergency session. The decree was later reversed within six hours when legislators were able to vote it down.
The fresh amendments are meant to guard democratic processes and avert such confrontations in the future. Legislators highlighted that the amendments enhance the autonomy of the legislature and shield it from unnecessary interference by security agencies during political crises.
