South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law unexpectedly, sparking nationwide shock and political turmoil.
A Drastic Move Amid Political Troubles
On Tuesday night, Yoon declared martial law in a late-night TV broadcast. He cited “anti-state forces” and threats from North Korea as reasons. However, it became evident that the move stemmed from his own mounting political struggles rather than external threats.
The declaration marked the first instance of martial law in nearly 50 years, temporarily placing the military in charge. Armed troops and police surrounded the National Assembly, and helicopters landed on its roof. Footage showed masked soldiers entering the building as staff resisted with fire extinguishers.
At 11:00 p.m. local time, the military imposed a ban on protests, restricted political activity, and placed media under government control. Despite these measures, South Korean politicians quickly denounced the declaration as illegal and unconstitutional. Even Yoon’s conservative People’s Power Party criticized his actions.
The opposition, led by Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, rallied lawmakers and citizens to resist. Thousands gathered outside parliament, chanting against martial law. Despite a heavy military presence, protests remained peaceful. Lawmakers managed to bypass barricades, with some climbing fences to reach the voting chamber.
By 1:00 a.m. Wednesday, 190 of 300 lawmakers voted to invalidate the declaration. Yoon reluctantly accepted the outcome, lifting martial law hours after announcing it.
Why Yoon Made This Move
Yoon’s presidency has faced severe challenges since his election in 2022. His conservative government struggled after losing the general election in April, leaving him unable to pass key legislation. His approval ratings dropped to 17% amid corruption scandals, including one involving his wife and another over stock manipulation.
Recent political developments further pressured Yoon. The opposition proposed slashing a major government budget and moved to impeach key officials for failing to investigate the First Lady. These mounting issues left Yoon politically cornered.
Declaring martial law was seen as an attempt to regain control, but it backfired spectacularly. Observers likened Yoon’s decision to a desperate move by a leader under siege.
The Fallout
For six hours, South Korea faced confusion and uncertainty. Despite the military’s attempts to assert control, opposition lawmakers and citizens acted decisively. The swift parliamentary vote overturned martial law, averting a potential crisis.
Under South Korean law, martial law can be lifted if a parliamentary majority opposes it. The law also prohibits martial law authorities from arresting lawmakers, limiting Yoon’s options.
This episode has left South Korea grappling with its democratic identity. Experts say Yoon’s actions have severely damaged the country’s democratic reputation. “Yoon’s declaration of martial law appeared to be both legal overreach and a political miscalculation,” said Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha University.
Protesters outside parliament called for Yoon’s arrest, reflecting widespread anger and disillusionment. The incident is now seen as the most significant challenge to South Korea’s democracy in decades.
As the parliamentary speaker declared, “We will protect democracy together with the people.”