PM rejects opposition-led suspicions of martial law plan

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday rejected opposition-led suspicions that the government is preparing to declare martial law with plans to arrest lawmakers who could make it void. Chairman Lee Jae-myung of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) fueled the suspicions on Sunday by mentioning it during a live broadcast of his meeting with ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon. Under the Constitution, the president can impose martial law during wartime or in other national emergencies, but he must also lift it immediately if the National Assembly votes to repeal it by a majority. Currently, the DP holds a majority with 170 out of 300 seats. "The (opposition's) logic is that we will halt the functions of the National Assembly through martial law, but none of our people will accept that," Prime Minister Han said during a meeting of the parliamentary budget committee. "Such a government would not be able to maintain the administration or the government." Under martial law, the president can mob ilize the military to maintain public order and exercise judicial powers. Those circulating the martial law rumors have alleged President Yoon Suk Yeol replaced his defense minister last month with the then chief of the Presidential Security Service in order to lay the groundwork for declaring martial law. "The political circles must quickly withdraw this issue," the prime minister said. Source: Yonhap News Agency