South Korea was jolted by a stunning turn of events late Tuesday night as President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, plunging the nation into a state of political turmoil. In a dramatic televised address, Yoon accused “anti-state forces” and alleged pro-North Korean conspiracies of threatening South Korea’s democracy, prompting his decision to deploy military forces and temporarily suspend civil liberties.
For six hours, the nation’s vibrant democracy teetered on the edge as troops surrounded the National Assembly, lawmakers fought to convene an emergency session, and citizens poured into the streets to demand a reversal. By dawn Wednesday, South Korea’s parliament had overturned the declaration, forcing Yoon to rescind martial law in one of the most chaotic and divisive episodes in the country’s modern history.
Here is how it unfolded and what’s next:
Troops at Parliament, protests in the streets
Moments after Yoon’s late-night announcement, the military swung into action. Soldiers encircled the National Assembly in Seoul, effectively barricading lawmakers and staff inside the building. Helicopters landed on the roof, and troops entered the premises, as stunned parliamentary aides reportedly used fire extinguishers in an attempt to push them back. A six-point decree issued by the martial law commander, Gen. Park An-soo, banned political activities, strikes, and demonstrations, placing the media under military control.
The news sparked immediate public outrage. Thousands of protesters, wrapped in coats against the freezing Seoul night, rushed to the National Assembly chanting, “End martial law, overthrow dictatorship.”
Despite the tense atmosphere, violence was largely averted. Protesters formed human chains to block military vehicles from entering the parliamentary compound, while lawmakers struggled to find ways into the voting chamber. Some climbed fences or crawled through windows to bypass the barricades.
At 1 am, 190 of the National Assembly’s 300 members had managed to convene inside the chamber, where they voted unanimously to overturn the declaration. Under South Korean law, the president is required to comply with such a parliamentary decision. By 4:30am, Yoon had rescinded martial law and ordered the withdrawal of troops.
A miscalculated gamble by a struggling leader
President Yoon’s decision to declare martial law has been widely interpreted as a desperate gambit by a leader under siege. Elected in 2022 with the narrowest margin in South Korea’s democratic history, Yoon has struggled to govern effectively amid plummeting approval ratings, mounting corruption scandals, and fierce resistance from the opposition-controlled parliament.
Critics from across the political spectrum quickly condemned the move. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition 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 own conservative People Power Party, labeled it “the wrong move.”
The martial law decree also revived bitter memories of South Korea’s authoritarian past, which many citizens believed had been consigned to history. “This 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 allegations that opposition lawmakers were paralyzing governance with an “unprecedented” number of impeachment motions against government officials. However, he failed to present specific evidence of any immediate threat, leading many to dismiss the move as a political maneuver rather than a response to genuine national security concerns.
Echoes of a dark past: Martial Law’s troubling legacy
The martial law declaration has drawn chilling parallels to South Korea’s decades of military dictatorship, particularly the infamous 1980 crackdown in Gwangju. Under the rule of military dictator Chun Doo-hwan, hundreds of pro-democracy protesters were killed in what is now remembered as a pivotal moment in South Korea’s journey toward democracy.
For many South Koreans, Yoon’s actions evoked unsettling memories of that era. “These martial laws and emergency orders had only existed in history books, yet they are unfolding in 2024,” Shin Bong-ki, a law professor at Kyungpook National University, told the YTN television channel. “When I heard the news, I was shaking.”
Images of Yoon superimposed onto portraits of Chun circulated on social media as citizens grappled with the surreal turn of events.
Global alarm and economic fallout
The international community reacted swiftly to the crisis. The United States, which maintains nearly 30,000 troops in South Korea as a bulwark against North Korea, expressed “grave concern” over Yoon’s martial law declaration. By morning, U.S. officials welcomed his decision to rescind the order, emphasizing 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 dropped 2%, and the won fell to a two-year low against the US dollar. Companies such as LG Electronics and Naver Corp advised employees to work from home, while the government promised emergency measures to stabilize the economy. “We will inject unlimited liquidity into stocks, bonds, and short-term money markets until conditions normalize,” the Finance Ministry 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 impeachment, and the country’s largest labor union has announced an indefinite strike until Yoon steps down. 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 salvage his presidency. Analysts predict that his ability to lead will be significantly weakened. “Yoon’s authority as a leader of a vibrant democracy has been shattered,” said Darcie Draudt-Véjares of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “This was a profound miscalculation.”
What comes next?
As South Korea reckons with the fallout from Yoon’s ill-fated declaration, the road ahead is uncertain. Impeachment proceedings may gain momentum, and the president’s political survival is far from guaranteed. Meanwhile, the public remains on edge, wary of further disruptions 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 declared after the parliamentary vote: “We will protect democracy together with the people.”
The question now is whether President Yoon can still be part of that effort — or if his gambit has ensured his political demise.
(With inputs from agencies)