South Korea Rejects Martial Law After a Night of Turmoil
President Yoon Seok-yeol, faces immense pressure and calls for impeachment following a shocking declaration of martial law that lasted a mere two and a half hours. Local media reports bloomed with news of outright resistance within the South Korean Parliament buildings which houses the National Assembly.
The announcement of martial law on Tuesday night (Dec. 3) shocked the world. Implemented without warning at 11:00 P.M. local time, it marked the first declaration of such a measure in 45 years, since the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in 1979.
President Yoon’s decision stemmed from what he described as a threat from “North Korean communist forces” and the need to eliminate those who undermine the state, “robbing people of their freedom and happiness.” However, the President lacked specific details about the alleged threats, further fueling the chaos that ensued.
Within hours of the declaration, chaos erupted in legislative chambers as lawmakers from the opposition party led by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, rallied against the stark measure.
The parliamentary session devolved into shouting matches with MP’s struggling to enter the building amidst the presence of soldiers and legal pronouncements declaring martial law. The declaration restricted political activity and placed limitations on media while calling for the removal of all medical personnel from their strike actions.
President Yoon appointed Army Chief of Staff, Park An Su, as Martial Law Commander. The attempted power grab sparked international outcry with the White House negating the President’s claims. Shortly after, an alignment was swiftly echoed by United States officials.bl
Members of the opposition party called for calm, urging the Parliament to convene and pass a vote on the legitimacy of the martial law. A massive crowd gathered outside the parliament building, demanding a reversal. Tension escalated as protesters clashed with officials, waving banners boldly proclaiming, “Abolish Martial Law,” “Protect Democracy,” and even calling for the President’s resignation.
In a historic moment, parliament narrowly averted disaster in a shocking vote. With a majority (190 out of 300), lawmakers voted to abolish the martial law, effectively quashing President Yoon’s grip on his transactional power. Parliament Speaker, Won Shik-woo, swiftly announced the lifting of theMartial law through official channels and government services were restored.
As dawn broke on Wednesday, President Yoon faced a nation deeply divided. Opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, submitted a draft bill calling for President Yoon Seok-yeol’s impeachment, aiming to remove the President after his controversial decision.
Labor unions, the largest in the country, announced an indefinite strike demanding President Yoon’s resignation, threatening further societal upheaval.
The South Korean Trade Union Federation threatens to mobilize tens of thousands of members, further intensifying pressure on President Yoon, whose government is signaling a campaign to further target opposition leader Lee Jae-myung on unsubstantiated grounds.
The actions mark a pivotal moment in South Korean history, raising serious questions about the stability of the South Korean government and President Yoon’s election. Meanwhile, experts fear the turmoil might emboldening North Korea and its allies to exploit deep fissures within the nation and further exacerbate the flashpoint on the Korean peninsula.
As international pressure mounts, President Yoon remains silent, adding to the broader anxieties facing the South Korean people.
Whether or not President Yoon can regain public trust after this tumultuous Attorney-General dismissal remains to be seen. The world watches as South Korea navigates this unprecedented crisis.
How did the international community respond to President Yoon’s declaration of martial law?
## South Korea Rejects Martial Law After Night of Turmoil: An Interview
**Host:** Thank you for joining us today to discuss the dramatic events unfolding in South Korea.
**Professor Kim:** It’s a pleasure to be here.
**Host:** Professor Kim, South Korea’s President Yoon Seok-yeol has just rescinded a declaration of martial law he instituted just hours ago. This is a shocking turn of events. Can you help us understand what happened?
**Professor Kim:** Absolutely. President Yoon’s declaration late last night took the world by surprise, coming without any prior warning. He cited a threat from “North Korean communist forces” and claimed the need to protect the country’s democracy. However, he failed to provide any concrete evidence of this threat, which sparked immediate outrage. [[1](https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-martial-law-north-korea-emergency-b310df4fece42c27051f58b8951f346f)]
**Host:** We saw images of intense opposition within the South Korean Parliament. Walk us through what happened there.
**Professor Kim:** The opposition, led by the Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung, immediately denounced the declaration as illegal and unconstitutional.
Lawmakers engaged in heated debates, many struggling to enter the building amidst the presence of soldiers who were enforcing the martial law. This dramatic resistance by the legislature showcased the strength of South Korea’s democratic institutions. [[1](https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-martial-law-north-korea-emergency-b310df4fece42c27051f58b8951f346f)].
**Host:** And the international community’s reaction?
**Professor Kim:** There was swift and strong condemnation from countries like the United States and others. They moved quickly to negate President Yoon’s claims and reaffirm their support for South Korean democracy. This international pressure undoubtedly played a role in the quick reversal of the martial law declaration.
**Host:** What are the implications of this event for President Yoon and South Korea as a whole?
**Professor Kim:** This situation has dealt a serious blow to President Yoon’s credibility and leadership.
The public outcry and the swift reversal of the martial law declaration point to a deep distrust of his actions. He will likely face increasing calls for impeachment and a loss of public support. It also highlights the fragility of democratic institutions and the constant vigilance required to protect them, even in a country with a robust democratic tradition like South Korea.
