President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night, but surprisingly reversed the decision just hours later. The dramatic move marked the first time martial law has been declared in South Korea in more than four decades, throwing the nation into a political whirlwind catching the attention of the world.
So, what exactly happened, and why did the president make such a shocking decision?
Here’s everything you need to know about South Korea’s current political chaos.
Why did Yoon Suk Yeol declare martial law in South Korea?
In a late-night address, President Yoon announced martial law, claiming it was necessary to protect South Korea from “communist forces” and to eliminate “anti-state elements”. He accused opposition parties of obstructing governance and aligning with North Korea, suggesting their actions were harmful to the nation’s stability. However, his vague statements left many people wondering what he really meant.
There are some claims pointing out that Yoon’s declaration seems tied to his own political troubles. Since he took office in May 2022, there have been 22 impeachment motions filed against his officials. He’s also been caught up in an influence-peddling scandal involving him and his wife, which he denies.
On top of that, there’s a budget dispute with the opposition Democratic Party. They’ve cut about 4.1 trillion won (around AUD 4.5 billion) from Yoon’s proposed budget, leading him to complain that “all key budgets essential to the nation’s core functions” were being slashed.
Alan Yu, a former US diplomat, put it bluntly: “What is clear is that Yoon has been a deeply unpopular, ineffectual leader and he is having a hard time getting any kind of public support for anything he’s trying to do,” per the ABC.
What is martial law?
It’s when normal laws are suspended and military authority takes over, usually during times of unrest or emergencies. In South Korea, the president can declare martial law under Article 77 of the constitution if there’s a military threat or to keep public safety during crises.
After Yoon’s announcement, army chief General Park An-su quickly issued orders banning political activities, strikes, and gatherings that could cause unrest. Media outlets were also put under military control, and medical staff were ordered back to work within 48 hours.
How did martial law get reversed in South Korea?
Fortunately, the martial law declaration didn’t last long. Just hours after making the announcement, Yoon changed course. In a televised address, he said, “There was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations,” per New York Times.
Yoon was voted down by 190 lawmakers in parliament and under South Korean law, the president must immediately lift martial law if there is a majority vote in parliament.
Has the martial law affected anything yet or did they reverse it in time?
Even though martial law was quickly lifted, it caused quite a stir. Protests broke out across the country as people shouted “No martial law!” and clashed with police outside the National Assembly.
Many took to social media to express their shock over the situation — some even reported seeing tanks and helicopters. The opposition parties were quick to criticise Yoon’s move.
Lee Jae-myung, an opposition leader, called it “illegal and unconstitutional”. Even some members of Yoon’s own party disagreed with him — Han Dong-hoon called the decision “wrong” and promised to stand against it.
What has been the overseas response to South Korea?
The international community has been closely watching what’s happening in South Korea, since it’s an important ally for many Western countries. The US expressed “grave concern” about the situation and urged the country to find a peaceful resolution. Britain said it was “closely monitoring” events. China advised its citizens to be cautious, while Russia described the situation as “alarming”.
Several foreign embassies in Seoul also warned their citizens to stay alert, including Australia. Smart Traveller has issued an update for Aussies in South Korea urging them to stay away from mass gatherings. Specifically at “sites like Gwanghwamun Square and Yeouido in Seoul”.
Finance Minister Katy Gallagher told ABC News Breakfast, “I think that the best message that we can give on this unfolding situation is for any Australians in South Korea to really listen to official advice and stay away from some of the mass gatherings as we continue to get across and understand the full implications of what’s happened overnight.”
What happens now in South Korea?
While things have calmed down for now with the lifting of martial law, the political situation in South Korea remains tense. The opposition is now calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down or face impeachment.
Democratic Party of Korea MP Park Chan Dae didn’t mince words, stating that even though martial law was lifted, Yoon “cannot avoid treason charges”. He went on to say, “It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down,” per Reuters.
South Korea’s economy has also taken a hit in the matter of hours that martial law was declared, with the Korean currency falling to as low as 1,443.40 won per US dollar, the lowest since October 2022 according to Reuters. It went to 1,418.35 after Yoon lifted martial law.
The fallout from this brief period of martial law is likely to reverberate through South Korean politics for some time. Yoon’s already shaky approval ratings may take another hit, and the opposition seems determined to use this incident to push for his removal from office.
As the situation continues to evolve, both domestic and international observers will be watching closely to see how Yoon’s government navigates this political minefield and we’ll be here with all the updates!
Lead image: Getty Images
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