South Korea was thrown into chaos when President Yoon Suk Yeol unexpectedly declared martial law late Tuesday night, a move that stunned the country and sparked outrage among lawmakers and citizens alike. However, just hours later, his own cabinet reversed the order, pulling the country back from the brink of a political crisis.
The drama unfolded in Seoul, with Yoon making the surprise announcement, accusing the opposition Democratic Party of being sympathetic to North Korea and engaging in what he called “anti-state activities.” In his late-night address, Yoon justified martial law as a way to protect South Korea’s democracy, claiming the opposition’s actions were paralyzing the government and threatening national security.
The decree authorized sweeping powers, including banning political activities, arresting people without warrants, and cracking down on protests and strikes. Even doctors on strike were ordered to return to work within 48 hours. The announcement triggered an immediate backlash, with lawmakers scrambling to block the measure. Around 190 out of 300 members of the National Assembly voted to overturn the martial law, working late into the night.
Outside the National Assembly building, the streets were tense. Soldiers had been deployed and entered the hall before the vote, but by early Wednesday morning, they withdrew following the cabinet’s reversal of the order. Citizens gathered outside the building cheered and celebrated when the news broke. “Long live the Republic of Korea!” they shouted, with some calling for President Yoon to step down.
The Democratic Party, which holds a majority in parliament, isn’t letting the matter rest. Its leaders have called the martial law declaration unconstitutional and are demanding Yoon’s resignation. “We will not stand by and watch President Yoon destroy democracy,” they said, warning they would start impeachment proceedings if he didn’t step down voluntarily. Meanwhile, Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s ruling People’s Power Party, apologized to the public and called for the defense minister to be fired, blaming him for recommending martial law.
For many South Koreans, Yoon’s actions stirred painful memories of the country’s authoritarian past. The last time martial law was declared was in 1980 during a student-led uprising. Tuesday’s events brought back those memories for residents of Seoul, some of whom rushed to be with their families, fearing an uncertain future. “People are scared and confused,” one local reporter shared. “They’re wondering how we got here and what this means for our democracy.”
Even though Yoon quickly backtracked, he doubled down on his criticism of the opposition party, accusing them of disrupting the government with constant impeachments and budget rejections. “We urge the National Assembly to stop paralyzing the state’s functions,” Yoon said in a statement after withdrawing the martial law.
The crisis has also drawn international attention. The United States, South Korea’s key ally, expressed serious concerns. Officials said they were caught off guard by Yoon’s declaration, learning about it only after it happened. “We’re watching the developments with grave concern,” Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell said, emphasizing the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
Yoon has faced mounting challenges since taking office in 2022, including tensions with North Korea, rocky relations with China, and a domestic political battle with the opposition party. His popularity has plummeted due to controversies and scandals, with many South Koreans calling for his impeachment. Tuesday’s martial law debacle has only added fuel to the fire.
For now, South Korea is stepping back from the edge of a full-blown crisis, but the political fallout is far from over. Lawmakers and citizens alike are demanding accountability, leaving President Yoon with a lot of questions to answer and a long road to rebuild public trust.
