IRIA News

8 minute read

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol lifted the martial law he imposed hours ago after a tense night of political drama in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule.

Protests broke out in Seoul after President Yoon Suk Yeol temporarily declared an emergency martial law on December 3, 2024. Yoon’s surprise declaration of martial law was swiftly voted down by 190 lawmakers in parliament.

South Korea’s main opposition party on Wednesday urged Yoon to resign immediately or face impeachment. South Korea’s cabinet ministers have expressed their intention to resign en masse to the prime minister, according to the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. The Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun is also facing calls to step down.

What’s happening in South Korea? 🇰🇷

1/ President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, accusing the opposition party of supporting North Korea and engaging in anti-state activities.

This triggered immediate protests outside parliament. pic.twitter.com/be6kDFUMRi

— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) December 3, 2024

Yoon faces impeachment

South Korea’s opposition parties have submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, just hours after he ended a brief but controversial declaration of martial law. The move comes amid mounting pressure for Yoon to resign or face forced removal from office, following an unprecedented military presence around the National Assembly.

The martial law, which saw troops encircle parliament, was swiftly lifted after lawmakers voted to revoke it. However, the declaration of martial law and the subsequent military intervention sparked outrage, fueling calls for Yoon’s impeachment.

The impeachment motion requires the backing of at least two-thirds of South Korea’s 300-member National Assembly. If the motion passes in parliament, it would then need the approval of at least six Constitutional Court justices to take effect.

South Korea’s short-lived martial law

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol released a surprise late-night declaration of martial law on December 3, marking the first time since 1980 that South Korea has invoked martial law, stirring deep anxiety both domestically and internationally.

In a live address broadcast on television, Yoon announced the extraordinary measure, vowing to eradicate “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces” that he claims threaten the nation’s constitutional order. Yoon claimed that the main party is sympathizing with North Korea and controlling the parliament.

President Yoon’s decision came without prior notice or buildup, catching the nation and international observers off guard. While South Korea has a history of authoritarian leadership in its early years, it has been widely regarded as a stable democracy since the 1980s. The sudden imposition of martial law, which places the country under strict military control, recalls a darker period in its history.

In his address, Yoon framed the decision as essential to safeguarding the nation. “I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” Yoon stated.

However, the president did not provide specific details about the alleged “anti-state forces” or outline immediate steps that would be taken under martial law. Instead, he cited opposition actions in parliament as precipitating factors, including recent moves to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal.

According to the South Korean media outlets, the military has announced sweeping measures, including the suspension of activities by parliament and political parties. Media and publishers will also fall under the control of the martial law command. Access to the National Assembly building has reportedly been blocked by security forces.

The declaration sent shockwaves through South Korea’s economic indicators. The Korean won plunged against the U.S. dollar, prompting the central bank to prepare stabilization measures. A central bank official indicated that contingency plans are being developed to mitigate market volatility.

Soon after the announcement, the South Korean parliament convened an emergency session and voted to block the declaration. Some 190 of the 300 members of parliament attended the voting and declared martial law as invalid. The National Assembly passed the resolution to lift martial law with unanimous approval from all registered members.

South Korea’s Martial Law Command Decree:

• All political activities, including those by the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, and associations, as well as assemblies and demonstrations, are prohibited.
• Actions undermining or attempting to overthrow the liberal democratic system are forbidden, along with the spread of fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and incitement.
• All media outlets and publications will be placed under the control of the Martial Law Command.
• Strikes, slowdowns, and assemblies that incite social disorder are prohibited.
• All medical workers, including medical residents who are on strike or absent from their duties, must return to their medical posts faithfully within 48 hours or face punishment.
• Measures will be taken to minimize inconvenience to law-abiding citizens, excluding anti-state actors or those opposing the system and seeking to overthrow the government.

Political fallout

The opposition Democratic Party (DP), which holds a majority in parliament, reacted with outrage. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the DP, denounced Yoon’s move in a live stream, warning of dire consequences for the country.

“Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country,” Lee said. “The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably. My fellow citizens, please come to the National Assembly.”

The DP has been at loggerheads with Yoon’s administration over a range of issues, including its motion to impeach top prosecutors and its rejection of a budget proposal. Last week, the DP slashed more than 4 trillion won from the government’s budget, prompting fierce protests from cabinet ministers. Yoon argued that these actions have paralyzed the government’s ability to function effectively.

The leader of the ruling conservative People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, also reacted strongly to the decision. Han said “The declaration of martial law is wrong”, adding that he would “oppose” it “alongside the people”.

International reaction

The sudden declaration of martial law also has significant implications for South Korea’s international alliances. The White House has yet to comment on the situation, though the U.S. maintains a robust military presence in the country, with approximately 28,500 troops stationed to guard against threats from North Korea. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for U.S. Forces Korea went unanswered.

The global community is watching closely, given the strategic importance of South Korea in regional and global geopolitics. Analysts have expressed concerns that the move could undermine South Korea’s democratic credentials and destabilize its economy at a critical time.

What’s going on in South Korea?

South Korea is in chaos after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, saying it’s necessary to stop “anti-state forces,” especially pro-North Korean leftist groups. The decree bans all political activities, controls the media, and… pic.twitter.com/Fg1bMv3Pb9

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 3, 2024

The foreign offices of several countries updated travel advice for nationals traveling to South Korea after the country’s president declared martial law.

History of martial law in South Korea

Martial law in South Korea evokes memories of past authoritarian regimes. The most recent declaration occurred in 1980 during the Gwangju Uprising, a pro-democracy movement that was violently suppressed by the military. Yoon’s invocation of the measure has raised fears of a potential return to repressive tactics.

Yoon has justified his actions by portraying them as necessary to counter domestic threats rather than any immediate danger from nuclear-armed North Korea. “Opposition parties have taken hostage the parliamentary process to throw the country into a crisis,” Yoon said, reiterating his commitment to preserving order.

While Yoon had been repeatedly warning of the threat posed by the “pro-North Korean forces”, his failure to provide concrete evidence has fueled suspicions that the move is aimed at consolidating power and suppressing dissent.

The coming days will likely be pivotal in determining the trajectory of South Korea’s political landscape. Whether Yoon’s declaration will restore order or deepen divisions remains to be seen. For now, the country is bracing for the full implications of a move that has already upended its democratic fabric.

South Korea’s citizens and allies alike are left grappling with the significance of this unprecedented moment. The consequences of President Yoon’s decision are likely to reverberate far beyond the nation’s borders, raising urgent questions about the future of democracy in South Korea.