<
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/05/south-korean-woman-who-grabbed-soldiers-gun-says-i-just-needed-to-stop-them>
"A South Korean party spokesperson seen grappling with a rifle-wielding soldier
in a video that went viral as a symbol of defiance against martial law has
insisted that she was not especially brave.
President Yoon Suk Yeol was forced to abandon his declaration of martial law
this week after 190 lawmakers defied a contingent of soldiers in helmets and
body armour and voted unanimously to reject it.
Footage of the lawmakers’ aides tussling with the troops to prevent them
entering the main hall has become a symbol of public rejection of the attempt
to impose military rule.
Images went viral showing Ahn Gwi-ryeong, 35, a former TV anchor who serves as
spokesperson for the opposition Democratic party, grappling with a soldier and
grabbing hold of his gun. One video was viewed more than 1.2m times on YouTube
as of Thursday evening.
“My only thought was that I just needed to stop them. I pushed them away, shook
them off, and did everything I could,” she told
Reuters.
“A lot of people were fighting against martial law troops so I just thought I
also had to stop them.”
As lawmakers were gathered on Tuesday, their aides blocked entrances with
furniture, formed human chains and sprayed troops with fire extinguishers. Two
and a half hours after the president declared martial law, 190 lawmakers had
made their way to the parliament and unanimously voted to block it.
Ahn can be seen shouting at the soldier in the clip: “Let go! Don’t you feel
the shame?” After she grabs his rifle, the soldier steps back.
Asked if she knew it would gain that much attention, Ahn said: “There were many
people braver than me who stood up to the martial law troops. There were people
who even managed to stop armoured vehicles outside. So, I don’t think my
actions were particularly special.”
The commander of the martial law troops said on Thursday he had no intention to
use firearms against the public. The country’s vice defence minister said no
live ammunition was provided to the troops.
South Korean opposition lawmakers plan to vote this weekend to impeach the
president.
Ahn said: “I think that the people have already psychologically impeached
President Yoon Suk Yeol. Who could trust a president declaring martial law
almost like a child playing games or entrust the nation to such leadership?”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
