South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on Dec. 3, citing the need to safeguard national security and uphold constitutional order as political tensions escalated.
The announcement, delivered from the presidential office in Yongsan shortly before 11 p.m., invoked Article 77, Clause 1 of the South Korean Constitution. This provision allows the president to impose martial law during times of war, armed conflict, or national emergencies that threaten public safety or order.
Under martial law, a designated military commander assumes control over administrative and judicial functions within the affected areas, and certain offenses may be tried in military courts. Martial law has been declared 16 times since the Republic of Korea’s establishment, including 12 instances of emergency martial law.
President Yoon defended the declaration as essential to counter what he described as threats to South Korea’s constitutional democracy. “To eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the liberal democratic order, I am declaring emergency martial law,” he said.
Yoon criticized the opposition-controlled National Assembly, led by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), for what he described as unprecedented obstructionism. “Since the beginning of this administration, the National Assembly has initiated 22 impeachment motions against government officials. Following the inauguration of the 22nd National Assembly in June, 10 additional impeachment efforts are underway. This is without precedent in South Korean history or in any democratic nation worldwide,” Yoon said.
He accused lawmakers of paralyzing both the judiciary and the executive branches, citing the impeachment or attempted impeachment of key officials, including the minister of interior and safety, the chair of the Korea Communications Commission, the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, and the minister of national defense.
Yoon further alleged that legislative actions had jeopardized national security and public safety. “The National Assembly has slashed essential budget items related to public safety, anti-narcotics measures, and core government functions. Their reckless budget cuts have turned South Korea into a haven for narcotics and plunged our public safety system into chaos,” he claimed.
The president accused the DPK of leveraging the budget process for political purposes. “This fiscal sabotage is nothing short of a mockery of the nation’s finances. By using the budget as a means of partisan conflict, the DPK has engaged in legislative tyranny,” Yoon said.
He described the opposition’s actions as a direct threat to South Korea’s constitutional framework. “This is a blatant anti-state act, aiming to incite rebellion and disrupt the legitimate functioning of institutions established under the Constitution and the law,” Yoon asserted.
The declaration of martial law immediately drew sharp criticism from both ruling and opposition party leaders. People Power Party (PPP) Chairman Han Dong-hoon denounced the decision, saying in an emergency message, “The president’s decision to impose martial law is wrong. We will stand with the people to oppose it.” PPP Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho reportedly convened an emergency caucus to discuss the situation.
The DPK responded by ordering its members to gather at the National Assembly. Party Chairman Lee Jae-myung issued an urgent call to citizens via social media. “Come to the National Assembly immediately and protect it, the last bastion of democracy,” Lee said. “Soon, tanks, armored vehicles, and soldiers armed with rifles will take control of this country. We must stand together to defend our collapsing democracy.”
In his message to the military, Lee emphasized its allegiance to the people rather than the president. “The weapons you carry are given to you by the power of the people. The true owners of this country are the citizens, not President Yoon. You must obey the people, not his orders,” Lee said. “The people have not authorized this martial law.”
Shortly after the declaration, the Ministry of National Defense announced that the defense minister had convened an emergency meeting with top military commanders. The military was ordered to bolster nationwide defense readiness and enhance emergency security measures in response to the martial law order.
