A chaotic night time in South Korea produced scenes that many thought would go down within the nation’s historical past.
One specifically caught the eye of many: a girl confronting troopers despatched to forestall parliamentarians from coming into the National Assembly.
Footage of Ahn Gwi-ryeong, 35, a spokesman for the opposition Democratic Party, grabbing a soldier’s weapon throughout the confusion was extensively shared on-line.
“I did not assume… I simply knew we needed to cease this,” he instructed the BBC Korea Service.
Ahn headed in direction of the meeting constructing as troopers descended on it shortly after the president declared martial law throughout South Korea.
Like many younger folks in South Korea, the phrase “martial regulation” was international to her. The final declaration dates again to 1979.
When Ahn first heard the information, he admitted that “a way of panic took over.”
When Martial law is declaredpolitical actions comparable to rallies and rallies are banned, strikes and industrial motion are prohibited, and media and publishing actions are managed by the authorities. Violators could also be arrested or detained with no warrant.
Shortly after martial regulation was declared, opposition chief Lee Jae-myung known as on lawmakers to collect within the National Assembly and vote to rescind the declaration.
Arriving on the meeting constructing shortly after 11pm native time, Ahn recalled turning off the workplace lights to keep away from detection as helicopters circled overhead.
By the time he reached the principle constructing, the troopers have been engaged in a confrontation with officers, aides and residents.
She stated: “When I noticed the armed troopers… I felt like I used to be witnessing the regression of historical past.”
Ahn and his colleagues have been desperately making an attempt to forestall the troops from coming into the principle constructing, the place the vote could be held.
They locked the revolving doorways from the within and piled furnishings and different heavy objects in entrance of the doorways.
As the navy started to advance, Ahn stepped ahead.
“Honestly, I used to be scared at first,” she stated, including, “But seeing such a confrontation, I assumed, ‘I am unable to keep silent.’”
The meeting handed the decision calling for the lifting of martial regulation round 01:00. All 190 members current voted to repeal it.
At 04:26, President Yoon introduced that he would reverse his resolution.
After the chaos had calmed down, Ahn slept for a short while contained in the meeting constructing.
He continued: “I used to be truly a bit of afraid to go away the meeting within the morning as a result of there gave the impression to be no taxis round, and after such a storm final night time, it was troublesome to get again to actuality.”
During his dialog with the BBC, Ahn was sporting the identical black turtleneck and leather-based jacket he had worn within the footage from the night time earlier than.
Sometimes she was overcome with emotion.
“It is heartbreaking and irritating that that is taking place in twenty first century Korea,” he stated.
