Soldiers prepare to enter the main hall of the National Assembly in Seoul in the wee hours of Dec. 4, 2024, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law, citing the need to root out pro-North Korean forces and uphold the constitutional order. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Dec. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — Around 280 martial law troops broke into the National Assembly after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s surprise declaration of martial law, the parliament’s secretary-general said Wednesday.
Kim Min-ki made the remarks during a press conference, saying that defense officials and police officers will be banned from entering the National Assembly starting this day.
“This is an urgent measure to protect the safety of the lawmakers and ensure the function of the National Assembly,” he said.
Kim explained that police closed the gates of the National Assembly and blocked lawmakers and other parliamentary officials from entering the compound from 10:50 p.m. Tuesday, shortly after Yoon’s announcement.
The defense ministry sent around 230 martial law troops into the premises of the Assembly through 24 helicopters from 11:48 p.m. to 1:18 a.m. early Wednesday, he said.
At 12:40 a.m., around 50 additional troops entered the National Assembly by jumping over the wall of the compound.
Kim released a CCTV video of the armed troops landing on a soccer field in the compound from helicopters before breaking into the Assembly compound and the main hall.
He said the secretariat will also look into damage caused by the declaration of martial law and hold those responsible for the “unlawful acts.”
(Yonhap)
