البرلمان الكوري الجنوبي يقر تعديل القواعد المنظمة للأحكام العرفية

After the surprising declaration of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol in December, which shocked the country, the South Korean parliament approved today (Thursday) an amendment to the regulations governing martial law.

The new regulations included a ban on any attempts to obstruct lawmakers from entering the National Assembly (parliament), in addition to preventing the military and police from entering without approval from the Assembly's president.

The martial law decree issued by Yoon was revoked after about 6 hours, following a vote by lawmakers, who had to climb over the walls of the National Assembly building to bypass a cordon of security forces, in favor of repealing the decree.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly today approved President Lee Jae-myung's nominee for Prime Minister, despite all members of the main opposition People Power Party boycotting the vote due to allegations regarding his wealth and family.

The Assembly approved the proposal to confirm Kim Min-seok's appointment by a majority of 173 votes to 3 votes, with three invalid votes during the general session.

For his part, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated that his government has taken the first step towards enhancing peace on the Korean Peninsula by suspending propaganda broadcasts via loudspeakers along the border, expressing hope that this conciliatory step will lay the foundation for renewing dialogue with Pyongyang.

Lee added during a press conference marking one month since he took office: "Just as North Korea responded to the government's recent suspension of propaganda broadcasts, a virtuous cycle of peace is possible," noting that he will reopen communication channels between the two Koreas and pave the way for peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and cooperation.