Archive photo: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Koreans hold signs reading “Resign Yoon Suk Yeol” during a rally in Seoul.

Archive photo: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Koreans hold signs reading “Resign Yoon Suk Yeol” during a rally in Seoul.

Archive photo: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea was rocked by a surprising turn of events late Tuesday evening President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and plunged the nation into a state of political unrest. In a dramatic televised address, Yoon accused “anti-state forces” and alleged pro-North Korean conspiracies of threatening South Korean democracy, leading to his decision to deploy military forces and temporarily suspend civil liberties.
For six hours, the country’s vibrant democracy was reeling as troops surrounded the National Assembly, lawmakers struggled to call an emergency session and citizens poured into the streets to demand a reversal. By dawn on Wednesday, South Korea’s parliament had repealed the declaration, forcing Yoon to lift martial law – one of the most chaotic and contentious episodes in the country’s modern history.
Here’s how it evolved and what’s next:
Troops in front of parliament, protests on the streets
Just moments after Yoon’s late-night announcement, the military swung into action. Soldiers surrounded the National Assembly in Seoul, effectively barricading lawmakers and staff inside the building. Helicopters landed on the roof and troops entered the compound, while stunned parliamentary staff reportedly used fire extinguishers to push them back. A six-point decree from martial law commander General Park An-soo banned political activities, strikes and demonstrations and placed the media under military control.
The news immediately sparked public outrage. Thousands of demonstrators, wrapped in coats, stormed the National Assembly against the freezing night in Seoul, chanting: “End martial law, overthrow the dictatorship.”
Despite the tense atmosphere, violence was largely averted. Protesters formed human chains to prevent military vehicles from entering parliament grounds as lawmakers struggled to find a way into the polling hall. Some climbed over fences or crawled through windows to get around the barricades.
By 1 a.m., 190 of the 300 members of the National Assembly had managed to convene in the plenary hall, where they voted unanimously to repeal the declaration. Under South Korean law, the president is obliged to comply with such a parliamentary decision. By 4:30 a.m., Yoon had lifted martial law and ordered the withdrawal of troops.
A miscalculated gamble by a struggling leader
President Yoon’s decision to declare martial law was widely interpreted as a desperate move by a leader under siege. Elected in 2022 by the narrowest margin in South Korea’s democratic history, Yoon has struggled to govern effectively amid falling approval ratings, growing corruption scandals and fierce opposition from the opposition-controlled parliament.
Critics across the political spectrum were quick to condemn the move. Lee Jae-myung, opposition leader Democratic Party and Yoon’s opponent in the 2022 presidential election called the declaration “illegal and unconstitutional.” Even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party, called it “the wrong move.”
The martial law decree also brought back bitter memories of South Korea’s authoritarian past, which many citizens believed was a thing of the past. “It feels like being thrown back into a nightmare,” said Juye Hong, a university student in Seoul. “It’s hard to believe this is happening in 2024.”
Yoon’s justification for martial law included vague accusations of “anti-state forces” and claims that opposition lawmakers were crippling governance with an “unprecedented” number of impeachment motions against government officials. However, he failed to provide concrete evidence of an imminent threat, leading many to dismiss the move as a political maneuver rather than a response to real national security concerns.
Echoes of a Dark Past: The Troubling Legacy of Martial Law
The declaration of martial law has drawn chilling parallels to South Korea’s decades-long military dictatorship, particularly the infamous Gwangju crackdown in 1980. Hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed under the rule of military dictator Chun Doo-hwan, in what is now seen as a pivotal moment in South Korea’s path to democracy applies.
For many South Koreans, Yoon’s actions brought back disturbing memories of that time. “These martial laws and emergency orders only existed in the history books, but they will come into effect in 2024,” Shin Bong-ki, a law professor at Kyungpook National University, told YTN television. “When I heard the news, I was shaking.”
Images of Yoon superimposed on portraits of Chun circulated on social media as citizens grappled with the surreal turn of events.
Global alarm and economic consequences
The international community responded quickly to the crisis. The United States, which has nearly 30,000 troops stationed in South Korea as a bulwark against North Korea, expressed “grave concern” over Yoon’s declaration of martial law. In the morning, US officials welcomed his decision to lift the order, stressing the importance of resolving political disputes “peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.”
Meanwhile, South Korea’s financial markets took a hit. The stock market fell 2% and the won fell to its lowest level in two years against the U.S. dollar. Companies including LG Electronics and Naver Corp advised their employees to work from home, while the government promised emergency measures to stabilize the economy. “We will provide unlimited liquidity to stocks, bonds and short-term money markets until conditions normalize,” the Treasury said in a statement.
A fragile democracy in crisis
The episode has raised profound questions about the state of South Korea’s democracy and the future of Yoon’s presidency. Opposition lawmakers have called for his removal from office and the country’s largest union has announced an indefinite strike until Yoon resigns. Even members of his own party have called for accountability.
Yoon, who has struggled to expand his political base and govern effectively, now faces an uphill battle to save his presidency. Analysts believe that his leadership ability will be significantly weakened. “Yoon’s authority as a leader of a vibrant democracy has been shaken,” said Darcie Draudt-Véjares of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “That was a profound misjudgment.”
What’s next?
While South Korea reckons with the fallout from Yoon’s ill-fated declaration, the path forward is uncertain. The impeachment process could gain momentum and the president’s political survival is anything but assured. Meanwhile, the public remains nervous and fears further disruption to the fragile political balance.
What is clear, however, is that South Koreans have once again demonstrated their commitment to democracy. As Speaker Woo Won-shik said after the parliamentary vote, “We will protect democracy together with the people.”
The question now is whether President Yoon can still be part of this effort – or whether his move has ensured his political downfall.
(With contributions from agencies)