Main Opposition Leader Decries Martial Law Declaration as ‘Illegal,’ ‘Unconstitutional’.

Seoul: The leader of the main opposition party on Wednesday criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of emergency martial law as "illegal," and "unconstitutional," claiming that it proceeded without meeting legal requirements.According to Yonhap News Agency, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung made the remarks after Yoon made the surprise declaration, accusing the opposition party of "anti-state" activities. The National Assembly had voted to demand the lifting of the decree hours later. Lee stated, "(The declaration) is illegal and unconstitutional as it has not at all met actual requirements for emergency martial law declaration that are stipulated in the Constitution and the Martial Law Act."Lee further emphasized that the emergency martial law declaration was "null and void in the first place," and the National Assembly's decision to demand its lifting reaffirms this stance. He also pointed out that the declaration was made without undergoing the necessary Cabinet approval process.