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| ▲ National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik (8th from L) and other participants pose for a photo during a ceremony at the plaza in front of the parliamentary building in Seoul on July 17, 2025, to unveil a monument with a message about parliament acting as a bastion of democracy by playing a key role in lifting the Dec. 3, 2024, martial law. (Pool photo) (Yonhap) |
parliament-martial law
Monument set up at Nat'l Assembly marking vote that blocked Dec. 3 martial law bid
By Yi Wonju
SEOUL, July 17 (Yonhap) -- The National Assembly on Thursday unveiled a monument in remembrance of parliament's vote that blocked a martial law bid by ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol in December last year.
Yoon, who is standing criminal trial on insurrection charges, declared an emergency martial law on Dec. 3 that shocked the nation. About three hours later, 190 lawmakers passed a motion that demanded Yoon lift the martial law, and Yoon lifted it.
The monument, measuring 5 meters wide and 1.2 meters high, was set up at the plaza in front of the parliamentary building, with the words "The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea -- the final bastion of democracy" engraved on it.
"The Constitution served as a shield against martial law," National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said at the ceremony, expressing his gratitude to citizens who protested outside parliament on the day of the vote.
A time capsule containing records of historic events in South Korea this year was buried beneath the monument and will be opened in 100 years.
Ruling and opposition lawmakers participated in the event, including Democratic Party (DP) floor leader Kim Byung-kee, and Deputy Assembly Speakers Lee Hak-young and Joo Ho-young.
Rep. Song Eon-seog, interim leader of the opposition People Power Party (PPP), was absent amid criticism from the DP, which has accused the PPP of being an "insurrection party."
Shortly after Yoon declared martial law, lawmakers climbed over the wall of the Assembly to enter the compound to vote to lift martial law as security forces stopped them from entering.
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