Park, a graduate of the Korea Military Academy, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1990. He has held key positions, including commander of an infantry division and chief of staff of an operation command.
Following the inauguration of the Yoon administration, Park was promoted to lieutenant general in June 2022. In October 2023, he became chief of staff of the army with the rank of general.
Under Korean law, the martial law commander is selected from active-duty general officers upon the recommendation of the Minister of National Defense, with final approval by the president after deliberation by the Cabinet. With the declaration of martial law, the commander gains authority over all administrative and judicial affairs within the designated areas.
At 10:35 p.m. on Tuesday, Yoon declared martial law, citing the urgent need to "eliminate pro-North forces and protect Korea’s constitutional order." Speaking from the Presidential Office in Seoul, he called the measure crucial to saving and rebuilding the country.
Later Park issued the first proclamation from the Martial Law Command, announcing a ban on all political activities, including sessions of the National Assembly and local councils, political party activities, political assemblies, protests, and demonstrations.
"To defend liberal democracy from anti-state forces threatening to overthrow the Republic of Korea from within and to ensure the safety of the people, the following measures are enacted across the nation effective 11 p.m. on December 3, 2024," he said.
He also announced restrictions on activities undermining democracy, spreading fake news, manipulating public opinion, and inciting unrest, with all media placed under the control of the Martial Law Command.
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