Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire, says U.S. ambassador to Türkiye
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-bor...
There are calls for dismissals in the South Korean government. It's after President Yoon Suk Yeol surprise martial law declaration sparked chaos in Seoul on Tuesday. It lead to mass protests and clashes outside the National Assembly.
South Korea Faces Political Crisis After President’s Martial Law Declaration
Thousands of people took to the streets in South Korea’s capital, Seoul, in response to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unexpected declaration of martial law. The move, which was swiftly reversed within hours, sparked the largest political crisis in decades for the nation, Asia's fourth-largest economy.
The declaration, which saw the military take control of civilian authorities in response to what President Yoon described as internal threats, triggered immediate backlash. Yoon’s decision to impose martial law was overturned after the South Korean parliament, in a rare move, unanimously voted to lift the decree.
Following the National Assembly’s demand, Yoon announced the withdrawal of martial law troops. “I will accept the National Assembly's demand and lift martial law through a cabinet meeting,” he said in a televised address.
Call for Resignations and Accountability
As political tensions mount, the ruling People Power Party has called for the resignation of Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and the entire cabinet. Opposition lawmakers have condemned the president’s actions, accusing him of abusing his power. The Democratic Party, the main opposition group, has labeled the martial law declaration as a breach of constitutional order and is calling for stronger measures to hold Yoon accountable.
The Democratic Party’s Floor Leader, Park Chan-dae, stated, “Even if martial law is lifted, he cannot avoid treason charges. It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon can no longer run the country normally.”
Protests Continue, Public Remains Anxious
By Wednesday morning, protests continued outside the National Assembly, with South Korea’s largest labor union group, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, leading the demonstrations. Union leaders have vowed to keep protesting until President Yoon resigns, citing the uncertainty and fear caused by the martial law declaration.
Many South Koreans expressed concerns about the future in the wake of the unprecedented move. A Seoul resident, 39-year-old Kim Byeong-in, described the experience as something out of a movie. “I realized how much more serious it is than I had imagined. The current economic condition is difficult, and the fact that the president is causing such anxiety among residents makes the situation so much worse,” he said. “I’m deeply disturbed by this kind of situation, and I’m very concerned about the future of the country.”
Fifty-year-old Seoul resident Gang He-Soo also expressed fear over the situation. “Last night, I happened to wake up from my sleep and came across the news. At first, I was scared and very confused. I kept thinking, 'What is going on? Is this something that could actually happen in this era?' I couldn't sleep until the martial law was lifted because I was so frightened,” he shared.
Economic Impact and Ongoing Uncertainty
The political unrest is also affecting South Korea’s financial markets, with the won hitting a two-year low and stocks taking a significant hit. Although the government has promised measures to stabilize the economy, the political turmoil continues to undermine public confidence and create uncertainty for both residents and investors.
As protests persist and the call for Yoon’s resignation grows louder, the country faces an uncertain future as it grapples with the aftermath of the martial law declaration and the ongoing political crisis.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Two Harry Potter actresses, Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker, have each received a six-month driving ban after separate speeding offences, both sentenced on the same day at a Buckinghamshire court.
North Korea has stopped foreign tourists from visiting its new Wonsan-Kalma resort just weeks after it welcomed the first Russian visitors.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in the U.S., though the company has not confirmed the claim.
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-border strikes this week heightened tensions.
The Trump administration has completed a controversial prisoner swap with Venezuela, returning around 250 deported Venezuelans in exchange for 10 American detainees.
Congo and the M23 rebel group have agreed on a declaration of principles after months of Qatar-mediated talks, aiming to end fighting in the country’s east.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment