Unlikely political ‘Thor’ emerges from South Korea’s martial law crisis

South Korea's National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik declares the passage of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol at the parliament in Seoul, South Korea, on December 14, 2024 [Yonhap/EPA]

Seoul – South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has emerged as an unlikely symbol of leadership during the country’s ongoing political turmoil, triggered by President Yoon Suk-yeol’s brief declaration of martial law on December 3.

Despite holding South Korea’s second-highest office after the presidency, the assembly’s speaker has historically had a low-profile role, operating behind the scenes of political life.