Martial Law in South Korea Reversed Overnight

President Yoon. Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

On December 3rd, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an emergency implementation of martial law. Yoon claimed that this was necessary to manage issues rampant within the country, such as the looming threats from both North Korea, and North Korea sympathisers within the government. However, some believe that the move was an act by Yoon to consolidate his own power amid ongoing corruption allegations against him and his wife. Since his presidential victory in 2022, Yoon’s approval rating has plummeted as a result of numerous scandals, a declining economy and his confrontational stance against North Korea. 

Following Yoon’s announcement, security forces barricaded parliament, preventing lawmakers from assembling to vote. Soon after, hundreds of protestors gathered outside the building. Scuffles between civilians and police and military forces broke out, while 190 MPs forced their way into parliament by breaking barricades and jumping fences. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung live-streamed himself climbing over the wall to cast his vote. 

With 190 out of 300 members present, Parliament voted unanimously and overturned martial law, only 6 hours after Yoon implemented it. However, Yoon’s unprecedented move continued to spark unrest among lawmakers and citizens. Protesters assembled chanting, “Bring down the dictatorship” and “Arrest President Yoon.” The opposition party members also put forth a motion to impeach President Yoon. Yoon later apologised for declaring martial law, vowing these events would never repeat. 

Despite restless public outrage, the impeachment vote failed after Yoon’s party boycotted the vote by walking out of the national assembly. Since, Yoon and his party have been strongly condemned by the public and the opposition for accusations of staging a military coup. While he remains in power for now, President Yoon has not only worsened his reputation with South Koreans, but is under investigation for treason and abuse of power concerning his short-lived martial law. Yoon has also had a travel ban imposed on him, preventing him from leaving the country while investigations are underway.