South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared emergency martial law late on Dec. 3 in a televised address from the Yongsan presidential office, citing a need to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces” and “protect the liberal democratic order.”
“To rebuild and safeguard the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into ruin, I am declaring emergency martial law,” Yoon said. “This is an inevitable step to protect the freedoms and safety of our people from forces seeking to overthrow the system and to ensure the nation’s sustainability for future generations.”
Just two and a half hours later, at 1 a.m. on Dec. 4, 190 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties convened a plenary session and unanimously passed a resolution demanding martial law be repealed. South Korea’s Constitution requires the president to lift martial law immediately if a majority of lawmakers vote to terminate it.
The declaration marks the first time in 45 years that martial law has been enacted in South Korea, the last instance occurring after the assassination of then-President Park Chung-hee in 1979. Yoon cited what he described as obstructionist actions by the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), including budgetary gridlock and impeachment motions against key officials such as the minister of interior and safety, the chair of the Korea Communications Commission, and the head of the Board of Audit and Inspection.
“Since the start of this administration, the National Assembly has initiated 22 impeachment motions against government officials. Since the 22nd National Assembly convened in June, there have been 10 additional impeachment efforts,” Yoon said. “This is unprecedented in South Korean history and in any democratic nation worldwide.”
He further accused lawmakers of crippling government operations, saying, “The DPK has turned the national budget into a tool for political strife, even engaging in what I call ‘budgetary impeachment.’ This tramples on the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea and disrupts state institutions established under the law.”
As part of the martial law directives, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, newly appointed as martial law commander, announced sweeping measures. These included bans on political activities, restrictions on fake news and public agitation, and strict media control. Park also ordered striking or absent medical personnel to return to work within 48 hours or face penalties.
The move sparked swift backlash. Lawmakers from both parties condemned the declaration, with People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon stating, “We will block this illegal and unconstitutional martial law alongside the people.” DPK leader Lee Jae-myung denounced it as “an illegal, unconstitutional, and anti-people proclamation.”
Yoon’s declaration is widely seen as a political miscalculation, with analysts predicting it will further embolden opposition efforts to pursue impeachment.
