The cabinet of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has angered a military law system just hours after he issued a surprise order, which plunged Seoul into political chaos and prompted fierce opposition from politicians across party lines.
The inversion came after Yoon on Wednesday banned the dubious proclaim and neighborhood time requested the withdrawal of troops' garbage underneath the arrange.
Lawmakers, who had raced overnight to rubber-stamp a counter-military law in a parliamentary vote, are now seeking acquiescence in the with of.
The opposition Democratic Party has announced plans to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol if he does not step down immediately. “We will not stand by and watch President Yoon’s crime of dismantling the Constitution and undermining democracy,” the party declared. “President Yoon should resign voluntarily without delay.”
Meanwhile, Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s ruling People’s Power Party, issued a public apology on Wednesday morning and called for the defense minister to be dismissed. “The president must provide a direct and thorough explanation for this tragic situation,” Han stated. “The defense minister, who recommended this martial law, should be removed immediately, and all those responsible must be held fully accountable.”
This marks the most serious martial law controversy in South Korea since 1980 when a president last invoked it during a nationwide uprising led by students and labor unions.
In a late-night address on Tuesday that surprised many, President Yoon Suk Yeol announced martial law, harkening back to South Korea’s authoritarian past. The announcement set off immediate unrest as troops tried to storm the main hall of the National Assembly, while protesters against the measure gathered outside.
Yoon defended his decree by accusing the opposition Democratic Party of anti-state acts and North Korean sympathy. He cited the party’s actions to impeach top prosecutors and vote down a government budget.
Hours of uncertainty
When declaring martial law, President Yoon Suk Yeol described the opposition’s actions as “clear anti-state behavior aimed at inciting rebellion.” He accused them of having “paralyzed state affairs and turned the National Assembly into a den of criminals.”
“To protect a free South Korea from the threats of North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements… I hereby declare emergency martial law,” Yoon announced in his address.
He justified the move as a necessary step to combat what he called “shameless pro-North anti-state forces.” Yoon framed martial law as essential to safeguarding the freedoms and safety of the people, ensuring the nation’s stability, and securing a sustainable future for the next generation.
While President Yoon did not detail specific actions under the martial law order, Yonhap reported that the full decree includes sweeping measures, such as banning all political and parliamentary activities and permitting arrests without warrants.
The decree also criminalizes “denying free democracy or attempting a subversion,” as well as spreading “fake news” and “manipulating public opinion.” Violators can face warrantless arrests and raids, according to Yonhap.
Reuters, citing the same document, noted additional prohibitions on “strikes, work stoppages, and rallies that incite social chaos.” This includes doctors participating in a walkout, who were ordered to return to work within 48 hours.
Shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday in Seoul (11 a.m. ET Tuesday), dozens of troops stationed in the National Assembly withdrew following the lawmakers’ vote to overturn the martial law order, as reported by Chosun Ilbo and local TV stations.
Outside the parliamentary building, citizens erupted in cheers upon hearing the news of the vote, Chosun Ilbo reported. Many shouted slogans such as “Long live the Republic of Korea!” and “Yoon Suk-yeol, step down!”
President’s declaration stuns residents and lawmakers.
The announcement of martial law sent shockwaves across South Korea, prompting a wave of panic in Seoul. Residents rushed to be with their families, as reported by a CNN team on the ground.
“Walking through the streets, you see people running to their families’ homes, trying to figure out what to do and be close to loved ones in this unprecedented moment,” said CNN correspondent Mike Valerio, reporting from Seoul.
Valerio added that law enforcement warned citizens that arrests could be made without warrants under the martial law order.
“There are countless people across Seoul who are stunned, questioning how an unpopular president could take such a drastic step, what this means for the future, and what lies ahead for South Korea’s democracy,” he said.
Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung condemned the declaration as “unconstitutional” and “against the people,” according to Yonhap. “President Yoon declared emergency martial law without justification,” Lee stated. “Tanks, armored vehicles, and soldiers with weapons will soon take control of the country.”
In the early hours of Wednesday, after rescinding the martial law order, Yoon reiterated his criticism of the opposition in a statement. “We urge the National Assembly to immediately cease its reckless actions that paralyze the state’s functions through repeated impeachments, legislative manipulation, and budget obstruction,” the president said.
Who is South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol?
Yoon Suk Yeol, representing the conservative People Power Party, has served as South Korea’s president since 2022, winning the election by a razor-thin margin of less than one percentage point over his rival, Lee Jae-myung.
A newcomer to politics, Yoon previously spent 27 years as a prosecutor. Since succeeding liberal President Moon Jae-in, he has faced significant challenges, including the ongoing threat from North Korea, rising tensions between South Korea’s major allies—the United States and China—and the country’s declining birth rates.
Yoon has taken a hardline approach to North Korea, a departure from Moon’s strategy of dialogue and reconciliation, which Yoon criticized as “subservient.” He pledged to strengthen South Korea’s military, even suggesting the possibility of pre-emptive strikes if signs of an imminent attack on Seoul were detected.
Domestically, Yoon has struggled with political opposition. His administration has frequently clashed with the Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority and has blocked his fiscal initiatives and impeached several ministers. These political battles, alongside various scandals and controversies, have caused Yoon’s approval ratings to plummet, with hundreds of thousands of citizens calling for his impeachment.
The surprise martial law announcement on Tuesday sent shockwaves through South Korea and alarmed its allies. A spokesperson for the US National Security Council revealed that the Biden administration was “not notified in advance” of the declaration. “We are in contact with the ROK government and are closely monitoring the situation. The US is seriously concerned by the developments on the ground,” the statement read.
Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell expressed similar concerns, describing the events in South Korea as being watched “with grave concern.” He reiterated that the US-South Korea alliance remains “ironclad.”
The United States and South Korea have a decades-old mutual defense treaty, obligating both nations to aid each other in the event of an attack. South Korea hosts key US military installations, including Camp Humphreys, the largest US military base outside of the United States, with more than 41,000 service members, civilians, contractors, and family members.
Along with Japan and the Philippines, South Korea forms a trio of regional powers that have bolstered American influence in Asia and the Pacific for decades.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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