South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol withdrew his order for martial law early on Wednesday morning. This decision came after violent opposition and protests erupted in Seoul, where thousands gathered outside the National Assembly to denounce the military rule that had been imposed the night before.
The crisis began when, in a surprise late-night televised address, President Yoon declared a state of emergency and the imposition of military rule. Yoon justified the extraordinary measure by claiming it was necessary to safeguard the country from North Korea’s “communist forces” and to eliminate what he described as “anti-state elements.” He argued that the martial law would protect the country during a time of national crisis, exacerbated by tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
However, Yoon’s announcement sent shockwaves through the South Korean political landscape. The decision sparked immediate chaos in the capital, as thousands of protesters gathered in opposition to the martial law decree. Many of them braved freezing temperatures to maintain a vigil outside the National Assembly, voicing their anger and frustration with the president’s actions. Their chants of “No to Martial Law!” and calls for the withdrawal of troops became a powerful symbol of resistance.
The protest was not limited to the streets. Lawmakers, some scaling the parliament’s perimeter walls to evade police barricades, convened to vote down the decree. They pushed back against the president’s unilateral decision, determined to preserve South Korea’s democracy, which had been hard-won after years of military rule. As the protests intensified, the army, which had been deployed to enforce the martial law order, announced that the troops would remain until the president himself decided to revoke the decree.
The situation seemed to be spiraling out of control when, in a stunning about-face, President Yoon made a late-night announcement reversing his earlier decision. In a televised address just after 4:30 am, he stated that the military would be withdrawn, and the martial law would be lifted. Yoon explained that he was responding to the demands of the National Assembly, and that the state of emergency would be lifted through a Cabinet meeting. The sudden shift in policy was met with jubilation from the protesters, many of whom had camped out through the night. Cheers erupted in the crowd, with some shouting, “We won!” as the atmosphere turned from tense to victorious.
The withdrawal of martial law marked a significant moment in South Korean political history. The country has not experienced martial law since 1987, when South Korea transitioned to a democratic government. The last time martial law was imposed was in 1979, following the assassination of the military ruler Park Chung Hee during a coup. This history made Yoon’s decision even more controversial, as many feared it would signal a return to authoritarian rule, undermining the democratic principles the country had fought so hard to establish.
Yoon’s government, already weakened by corruption scandals and a landslide victory by the opposition in the April general elections, found itself facing an increasingly unstable political environment. The opposition had already proposed cutting budgets for Yoon’s administration, and lawmakers had moved to impeach cabinet members and prosecutors, accusing them of failing to investigate scandals surrounding the First Lady. The martial law decree was seen by many as an attempt by the president to use emergency powers to restore his waning authority.
Internationally, Yoon’s decision raised alarm. The United States, a key ally of South Korea, expressed concern, with a spokesperson from the US State Department saying the alliance remained “iron-clad” but noting that they were “watching the situation closely.” Similarly, the UK government, through a spokesperson for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, said it was “monitoring the situation closely.”
The swift withdrawal of martial law and the president’s dramatic U-turn have left many wondering about the future of South Korea’s political landscape. The events of the past 24 hours have highlighted the growing political polarization and the power of popular protest in shaping the country’s democratic trajectory. As South Korea moves forward, it remains to be seen how the government will navigate the challenges posed by a divided opposition and public dissatisfaction with the current leadership.
