Why did South Korea's president declare martial law - and what now?

On December 4, 2024, South Korea's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, made a shocking announcement that sent ripples through the nation. In a late-night television address, he declared martial law, a move that had not been seen in South Korea for nearly half a century. Yoon's declaration was framed as a response to threats posed by 'anti-state forces' and the ongoing tensions with North Korea. However, as events unfolded, it became increasingly clear that the declaration was more about Yoon's own political troubles than any external threats. The announcement sparked immediate outrage, leading thousands of citizens to gather outside the National Assembly in protest. Opposition lawmakers quickly mobilized to push for an emergency vote to overturn the martial law declaration. After a few tense hours, Yoon accepted the parliament's decision to lift the martial law order, but the political fallout was just beginning. Observers noted that Yoon appeared to be a president under siege. In his address, he spoke of the political opposition's efforts to undermine his government, claiming that he needed to declare martial law to 'crush anti-state forces that have been wreaking havoc. ' His decree effectively placed the military in charge, with troops and police deployed to the National Assembly building. Eyewitness accounts and local media captured scenes of masked soldiers entering the parliament while staff members attempted to fend them off with fire extinguishers. Shortly after the declaration, the military issued a decree banning protests and political activities, while also placing the media under government control. However, South Korean politicians quickly denounced Yoon's actions as illegal and unconstitutional. Even the leader of Yoon's own party, the conservative People's Power Party, criticized the move as a 'wrong decision. ' Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party, called on his party members to converge on the National Assembly to vote against the martial law. He urged ordinary South Koreans to join the protests, warning that 'tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country. ' Thousands of citizens responded to his call, gathering outside the heavily guarded parliament, chanting slogans like 'No martial law! ' and 'Down with dictatorship! ' Despite the military presence, tensions did not escalate into violence, and lawmakers were able to navigate around the barricades. By 1 AM on Wednesday, South Korea's parliament, with 190 of its 300 members present, voted to reject the martial law measure, declaring it invalid. Yoon's declaration of martial law was officially overturned. The significance of martial law cannot be understated. It represents a temporary rule by military authorities during emergencies when civil authorities are unable to function. The last time martial law was declared in South Korea was in 1979, during a period of political upheaval. Yoon's decision to invoke martial law was seen as a drastic measure, especially given his hardline stance on North Korea and his portrayal of the political opposition as sympathizers of the North, without providing any evidence. Under martial law, the military is granted additional powers, often leading to the suspension of civil rights and the rule of law. Despite the military's attempts to restrict political activity and control the media, protesters and politicians defied these orders, and major media outlets continued to report on the situation. The parliament convened shortly after Yoon's declaration to block the martial law measure, demonstrating the resilience of South Korea's democratic institutions. Yoon's presidency has faced mounting pressure since he took office in May 2022. His approval ratings have plummeted to around 17%, and he has been embroiled in several corruption scandals. The opposition has gained significant ground, winning a landslide victory in the general election earlier this year. As a result, Yoon's government has struggled to pass legislation and has resorted to vetoing bills proposed by the opposition. The recent proposal to cut a major government budget bill further intensified the political crisis. The opposition has also moved to impeach cabinet members and top prosecutors for failing to investigate allegations against the First Lady. The protests against Yoon's martial law declaration reflect a broader discontent with his leadership and the political climate in South Korea. The Democratic Party is now pushing for Yoon's impeachment, and parliament will vote on this matter soon. If successful, it would not be the first time a South Korean president has faced impeachment. In 2016, President Park Geun-hye was impeached for her involvement in a corruption scandal. Yoon's actions have raised serious questions about the state of democracy in South Korea, with experts warning that this situation could have lasting implications for the country's democratic reputation.