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A chaotic night time in South Korea produced scenes most thought had been consigned to the nation’s historical past.
One specifically has caught the eye of many: a girl confronting troopers who had been despatched to dam lawmakers from coming into the National Assembly.
Footage of Ahn Gwi-ryeong, 35, a spokesperson for the opposition Democratic Party, grabbing the weapon of a soldier in the course of the commotion has been shared extensively on-line.
“I didn’t think… I just knew we had to stop this,” she instructed the BBC Korean Service.
Ahn made her technique to the meeting constructing as troopers descended on it, shortly after the president declared martial law across South Korea.
Like many in South Korea’s youthful technology, the phrase “martial law” was international to her. It was final declared in 1979.
When Ahn first heard the information, she admitted “a sense of panic took over”.
When martial law is declared, political actions like rallies and demonstrations are banned, strikes and labour actions are prohibited, and media and publishing actions are managed by the authorities. Violators could be arrested or detained with out a warrant.
Shortly after the declaration of martial regulation, opposition chief Lee Jae-myung known as on lawmakers to collect within the National Assembly and maintain a vote to annul the declaration.
Arriving on the meeting constructing simply previous 23:00 native time, Ahn recalled turning off workplace lights to keep away from detection as helicopters circled overhead.
By the time she reached the principle constructing, troopers had been engaged in a stand-off with officers, aides and residents.
She mentioned: “When I saw the armed soldiers… I felt like I was witnessing the regression of history.”
Ahn and her colleagues had been determined to stop 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.
When the army started advancing, Ahn stepped ahead.
“Honestly, I was scared at first,” she mentioned, including: “But seeing such confrontation, I thought, ‘I can’t stay silent’.”
The meeting handed the decision calling for the lifting of martial regulation at round 01:00. All 190 members who had been current voted to repeal it.
At 04:26, President Yoon introduced he was reversing his determination.
After the chaos subsided, Ahn slept for a short while contained in the meeting constructing.
She continued: “I was actually 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.”
During her dialog with the BBC, Ahn was sporting the identical black turtleneck and leather-based jacket she had been sporting within the footage from the night time earlier than.
At instances, she was overcome with emotion.
“It’s heartbreaking and frustrating that this is happening in 21st century Korea,” she mentioned.
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