South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol shocked the nation on Tuesday night by declaring martial law, marking the first such measure in the Asian democracy in nearly 50 years.
Announced during a late-night televised address, Yoon cited “anti-state forces” and threats from North Korea as the reasons behind his drastic decision. However, it quickly became evident that the move was less about external threats and more about his mounting political challenges.
The declaration sparked outrage, with thousands gathering outside the National Assembly to protest and opposition lawmakers convening an emergency vote to overturn the measure. By early Wednesday, the parliament rejected the martial law decree, prompting Yoon to accept the decision and lift the order.
Yoon now faces potential impeachment and possible expulsion from his party.
How did events unfold?
Observers say Yoon has been acting like a president under siege. In his address, he accused the opposition of trying to destabilize his government, claiming martial law was necessary to “crush anti-state forces.”
The decree temporarily placed the military in charge, with soldiers and police securing the National Assembly. Reports showed military helicopters landing on the roof, troops entering the building, and staff resisting with fire extinguishers. By 11 p.m. local time, the military banned protests, suspended parliamentary activities, and restricted media freedoms. However, these measures faced immediate pushback.
Opposition leaders, including Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, condemned the move as unconstitutional, calling on lawmakers and citizens to protest at the parliament. Thousands responded, chanting slogans like “No martial law!” amid a heavy military presence. Despite the tensions, violence was avoided, and lawmakers managed to gather and overturn the decree with a parliamentary vote of 190 out of 300 members.
What is martial law in South Korea?
Martial law involves the military assuming control during emergencies when civilian authorities are deemed incapable of maintaining order. South Korea last experienced martial law in 1979 during a coup following the assassination of military dictator Park Chung-hee. The country has not invoked it since transitioning to a democracy in 1987.
Yoon’s declaration, however, sparked comparisons to South Korea’s authoritarian past. He accused opposition leaders of being North Korea sympathizers without evidence. Although the military announced sweeping restrictions, media outlets continued to report freely, and political activities largely persisted.
Why was Yoon under pressure?
Yoon, a hardline conservative elected in May 2022, has faced significant challenges since April, when the opposition won a general election, paralyzing his administration. His approval ratings have plummeted to around 17%, amid multiple corruption scandals, including one involving the First Lady.
The opposition recently moved to slash a major budget bill and impeach cabinet members, further increasing the pressure on Yoon’s administration.
What happens next?
Yoon’s declaration left South Korea in confusion for several hours, but the parliament’s swift action invalidated the martial law order. Under South Korean law, martial law must be lifted if a majority of lawmakers vote against it, and lawmakers are protected from arrest during such a process.
Attention now turns to Yoon’s political future, with reports indicating that lawmakers may move to impeach him. The process would require a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and confirmation by the Constitutional Court. If upheld, Yoon would be removed from office, a fate that has befallen other South Korean presidents, including Park Geun-hye in 2016.
Yoon’s actions have been widely criticized as a legal overreach and a political miscalculation, with experts warning of lasting damage to South Korea’s reputation as a stable democracy. Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha University remarked, “Yoon’s declaration of martial law unnecessarily risked South Korea’s economy and security, appearing as a desperate move amid scandals and growing calls for impeachment.”
