In a stunning move late Tuesday night, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, sparking “confusion and disbelief” across South Korea, a furious burst of protests, and an abrupt annulment of the move by the opposition-led National Assembly, cutting short a constitutional crisis that, the morning after, seemed almost a fever dream.
In a televised address aired Tuesday at around 10:30 p.m. local time, Yoon said martial law was required to “protect liberal democracy” from “anti-state forces,” and to “protect the safety of the people.”
After Yoon’s order, roughly 300 soldiers were reportedly seen attempting to enter the National Assembly, while demonstrators outside the legislature clashed with police, chanting: “End martial law!”
Shortly after midnight, the country’s unicameral legislature voted to lift Yoon’s order. All 190 lawmakers present — out of a possible 300 — voted to repeal the order. At 4:20 a.m., Yoon said that he would honour the vote and, following a cabinet meeting, lifted martial law. In the aftermath, Yoon’s entire cabinet and all of his aides offered to resign.
Yoon’s People Power Party controls 108 seats in the National Assembly. The main opposition party, the Democratic Party, holds 170 seats.
The president’s political future is in doubt: an impeachment vote is expected Saturday and calls for his resignation are growing. At least eight lawmakers from Yoon’s own party would have to vote with opposition parties to oust him.
Parliamentary logjam, scandals dog Yoon
South Korea’s embattled leader has muddled through parliamentary policy tussles and scandals since assuming office in May 2022, following a razor-thin presidential election win against the Democratic Party’s Lee Jae-myung.
Last week, Yoon vetoed a bill passed by the National Assembly calling for an investigation into corruption allegations surrounding his wife, the 12th time he’s used his veto power since 2022.
A poll released on November 15 by Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency suggested Yoon’s approval rating sat at 20 per cent. Seventy-one per cent of respondents to that poll held a negative view of Yoon.
Blowback from party, opposition
Han Dong-hoon, the current leader of Yoon’s party and a former justice minister in Yoon’s cabinet, called the martial law order “wrong.” Opposition leader Lee said it was “illegal and unconstitutional.”
Yoon’s decree would have prohibited “all political activities.” Rallies and strikes were banned under the order, which also subjected media “to the control of the Martial Law Command.”
It was the first time since 1979 that martial law was declared in the country. Democracy replaced military dictatorship in South Korea in 1987.
In 2016, South Korean President Park Geun-hye was impeached by the National Assembly over abuse of power. South Korea’s Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment in an 8–0 vote, and Park was relieved of her duties.
Global Affairs Canada has advised Canadians in South Korea to “exercise caution” and “avoid demonstrations and large gatherings.”
