South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared “emergency martial law” in a televised address late Tuesday night (December 3), accusing opposition parties of siding with North Korea and obstructing government functions through “anti-state activities.” Yoon stated, “Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is falling into national ruin… I will eliminate anti-state forces swiftly and restore order in the country,” while urging the public to bear with “some inconveniences.”
What Is Martial Law?
Martial law involves replacing civilian governance with military control, temporarily suspending civil liberties, and granting the military greater authority to maintain order. Under martial law, military rule overrides civil legal processes, and freedoms such as speech, assembly, and press may be restricted. According to Article 77 of South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during times of war or national emergency to ensure public safety.
Impact of Martial Law in South Korea
South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported that under the martial law, political activities by parliament and political parties would be banned, media outlets and publishers would come under military control, and members of parliament would be barred from entering the National Assembly. Yoon’s speech did not outline specific measures that would be implemented.
Martial law has been declared 16 times in South Korea’s history, with the most recent instance occurring in 1980.
Why Did President Yoon Declare Martial Law?
The decision follows a series of political challenges that have left President Yoon largely ineffective in office. Following the opposition’s landslide victory in the 2023 National Assembly elections, Yoon’s government has struggled to pass significant laws and has been locked in gridlock with the opposition-led assembly. In particular, Yoon has had to veto numerous bills passed by the opposition, which he accuses of “paralyzing state affairs.”
Adding to Yoon’s political woes are ongoing scandals involving him and his wife, who is accused of influence peddling, stock manipulation, and accepting luxury gifts. The opposition has been pushing for a special investigation into these allegations.
In recent weeks, Yoon’s administration has faced intense opposition over the 2024 budget bill and an ongoing effort to impeach top prosecutors involved in investigating opposition figure Lee Jae-myung, a potential challenger for the 2027 presidential race.
Amid these escalating crises, Yoon has chosen what many analysts are calling the “nuclear option” to maintain control.
Public and Political Reactions
The announcement of martial law has taken many by surprise. According to reports, daily life in South Korea appears unaffected so far, with streets remaining calm. However, the move has sparked significant backlash from South Korea’s political establishment, including members of Yoon’s own party.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung condemned the declaration, warning that “tanks, armored vehicles, and soldiers with guns” would soon dominate the country, leading to economic collapse. He urged citizens to rally at the National Assembly in protest.
Meanwhile, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, called the martial law declaration a “wrong” decision and vowed to block its implementation. Under South Korean law, the government must lift martial law if the majority of the National Assembly votes to repeal it, though access to the National Assembly has been restricted, making a vote uncertain.
As tensions rise, the fate of the martial law declaration and its impact on South Korea’s political future remain uncertain.
