"I was shocked to realize that democracy, which I took for granted, could be destroyed in an instant."
"That night my daily routine suddenly became dangerous, and for the first time, I thought that I might lose my life."
"Before I could make any judgment, my body was already heading to the street."
"We owe a great debt to the citizens who ran barehanded to the front of the National Assembly and stood up to the martial law forces."
December 3, 2024.
22:29
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President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law in emergency speech
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"I declare emergency martial law to crush the pro-North Korean forces and protect the free constitutional order."
23:23
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Martial Law Proclamation No. 1, effective 23:00
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"All political activities, including activities of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, political associations, rallies, and demonstrations are prohibited.”
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"Violators of the above proclamation may be arrested, detained, and seized without a warrant pursuant to Article 9 of the Martial Law Act of the Republic of Korea ((Special Measures Authority of the Martial Law Commander), and shall be dealt with in accordance with Article 14 of the Martial Law Act (Penalties).”
23:37
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Full police control of access to the National Assembly
23:48
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Armed soldiers and armored vehicles enter the Seoul city center; martial law forces and helicopters enter National Assembly
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A rally in front of the National Assembly demanding the lifting of martial law lasts until dawn the next day.
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Police estimate a gathering of more than 1,000
December 4, 2024.
00:35
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Won-sik Woo, Speaker of the National Assembly, takes the chair of the plenary chamber of the National Assembly.
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190 members of the ruling and opposition parties (172 from the Democratic Party, the opposition party, and 18 from the People Power Party) enter the main building of the National Assembly.
00:45
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Martial law forces attempt to force their way into the National Assembly plenary chamber.
00:49
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National Assembly plenary session opens with the agenda item “Resolution Calling for the Lifting of Emergency Martial Law.
01:01
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Resolution demanding the lifting of emergency martial law is passed unanimously by 190 out of 300 members present.
01:15
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Military forces which had entered the Capitol are withdrawn.
02:00
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Request to Yoon Suk Yeol to lift martial law and resume public announcements.
04:27
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Yoon Suk Yeol announces to the public “I will convene a cabinet meeting to lift martial law.”
04:30
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The State Council votes to lift martial law.
05:40
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President Yoon Suk Yeol announces the lifting of martial law.