A tumultuous evening in South Korea unfolded, revealing images many believed were relegated to the annals of the country’s past.
A notable incident has emerged, featuring a woman boldly confronting soldiers tasked with preventing lawmakers from accessing the National Assembly.
Video footage featuring Ahn Gwi-ryeong, 35, who serves as a spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Party, has circulated extensively on the internet. The clip shows her seizing the weapon of a soldier amid the chaos.
“I never anticipated…” “I was certain that we needed to end this,” she stated in an interview with the BBC Korean Service.
Ahn approached the assembly building just as soldiers began to converge on the site following the president’s announcement of martial law throughout South Korea.
For many in South Korea’s younger generation, the term “martial law” remains unfamiliar. The last declaration occurred in 1979.
Ahn revealed that she experienced an overwhelming sense of panic upon receiving the news.
The declaration of martial law resulted in the prohibition of political activities, including rallies and demonstrations. Strikes and labour are banned, while authorities control media and publishing activities. Individuals who violate the law may face arrest or detention without a warrant.
In the wake of the martial law declaration, opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung urged lawmakers to convene in the National Assembly for a vote aimed at overturning the declaration.
As the clock struck 23:00 local time, Ahn made his way to the assembly building, recalling when he switched off the office lights to evade the watchful eyes of helicopters hovering above.
Upon her arrival at the main building, a tense standoff unfolded between soldiers and a group comprising officials, aides, and citizens.
“When I saw the armed soldiers… I felt like I was witnessing the regression of history,” she remarked.
Ahn and her colleagues faced a critical challenge as they sought to block the troops from accessing the main building designated for the vote.
The revolving doors were secured from the inside, with furniture and various heavy items stacked against them to prevent entry.
As the military commenced its advance, Ahn took a decisive step forward.
“Honestly, I was scared at first,” she remarked, continuing, “But witnessing such confrontation made me think, ‘I can’t stay silent.'”
In a significant move, the assembly approved the resolution advocating removing martial law shortly after 1:00 AM. Every one of the 190 members in attendance cast their vote in favour of the repeal.
At 04:26, President Yoon declared a reversal of his previous decision.
Once the turmoil had settled, Ahn took a brief rest within the confines of the assembly building.
She expressed her apprehension, stating, “I was a little scared to go outside the assembly in the morning because there didn’t seem to be any taxis running, and after such a storm last night, it was hard to get back to reality.”
Ahn spoke with the BBC while donning the same black turtleneck and leather jacket she had worn in the previous night’s footage.
At certain moments, she found herself engulfed by her emotions.
“It is both heartbreaking and frustrating to witness this occurring in 21st-century Korea,” she stated.
