In a decisive move to strengthen its democratic framework, South Korea’s National Assembly has approved significant revisions to its martial law regulations.

 The reform follows the unprecedented political crisis of December 2024, when former President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly imposed martial law, leading to military forces blocking access to the parliament. The new law ensures that military or police cannot enter the Assembly without prior approval from the Speaker and guarantees that lawmakers can access the building at all times. This legal shift, backed by the administration of new President Lee Jae-myung, underscores the country’s commitment to preventing executive overreach and protecting constitutional governance. The move is seen as a direct safeguard against the misuse of emergency powers and has been welcomed as a democratic milestone.