People attend a candlelight vigil condemning South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s surprise declaration of martial law on Tuesday (December 3, 2024) night, which was reversed hours later, and to call for his resignation in Seoul, South Korea, on December 4, 2024.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

For a brief duration on late Tuesday night (December 3, 2024), South Korea, a country with a history of military rule, had fleeting visions of its past as President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared on television and imposed an emergency marital law. This would have curbed the activities of political parties, brought the media under the ambit of the law, and required protesting workers to resume duties.

Yeilding to pressure, even from members of his People’s Power Party, Mr. Yoon repealed the law within six hours as lawmakers braved Army troops to vote 190-0 against it at the 300-member strong Parliament. He now faces an impeachment motion.

History of South Korea’s martial law

South Korea’s constitution states that martial law can be imposed to “cope with a military necessity or to maintain the public safety and order by mobilization of the military forces in time of war, armed conflict, or similar national emergency.” The law can be repealed if overturned by a majority in the National Assembly.

Between the end of the Second World War and South Korea’s transition to democracy in 1987, martial law was imposed 16 times. It was last imposed in 1987, when military leader Park Chung-hee was assassinated the year before. 

What was the run-up to the decision?

At the time of Mr. Yoon’s ascension to the President’s chair in 2002 (with a razor-thin majority of 0.8 percentage points), the National Assembly was already dominated by the Opposition Democratic Party.

A victory for them in this year’s April parliamentary elections landed Mr. Yoon in a precarious position, as it made him the first South Korean leader in decades without a majority in the National Assembly. This led to constant bickering, with the President vetoing bills and accusing the Opposition of filing 22 impeachment motions against his administration officials.

Coupled with the latest argument over a Budget Bill, the standoff culminated in Mr. Yoon declaring martial law to stop “shameless pro-North anti-state forces that plunder the freedom and happiness of our people”, and even terming the National Assembly a “monster that destroys the liberal democratic system”. 

President’s track record

A prosecutor by profession, Mr. Yoon came to power, succeeding Moon Jae-in from the Democratic Party. The 63-year-old has overseen the conviction of former president Park Geun-hye in her impeachment trial.

In comparison to Mr. Moon, who struck a conciliatory tone with North Korea by meeting its leader Kim Jong-un, the 63-year-old Conservative Mr. Yoon has adopted a hawkish approach. He has called for further military drills and economic sanctions on Pyongyang, in moves that have been perceived as an overture to bolster ties with the U.S. “Peace is meaningless unless it is backed by power,” Mr. Yoon was quoted as saying during his presidential campaign. He was also seen warming up to Japan, which ruled South Korea previously.

Back home, increasing home prices and rising unemployment have kept his administration busy. The country is home to an ageing population and has recorded the world’s lowest birth rate.

The government’s efficacy was first put to test when it was faced with the fallout of one of the worst tragedies – the Halloween weekend stampede of October 29, 2002, in which 159 people were killed at a popular nightlife district in Seoul. Authorities’ response to the incident came under sharp criticism.

The second trial came with the doctors’ protest which began in February 2024, over the government’s decision to admit more students to address shortages. The medical workers wanted the government to address their harsh working conditions and dismal pay before recruiting more students.

Another botch is the bribery charges against Mr. Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee, who was caught on camera receiving a $2,200 Dior pouch as a gift, drawing comparisons with Marie Antoinette.

Taken together with his anti-feminist policies and attacks against media organisations for spreading ‘fake news’, the President’s approval points last month stood at a dismal 17%.

Aftermath 

The United States, the country’s biggest ally, said it was unaware of the decision to impose martial law while senior aides to Mr. Yoon offered to resign en masse, including his chief of staff.

Opposition filed an impeachment motion against the President – a sentiment echoed by citizens and labour unions who have gone on strike in Seoul. Allies of Mr. Yoon such as the leader of his PPP party, Han Dong-hoon, termed the decision wrong and said “together with the people, we will stop this. He called for the resignation of Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is believed to have suggested the idea to Mr. Yoon.

The National Assembly is empowered to impeach the President if more than two-thirds of the members support the motion. Mr. Yoon’s party has 108 members in Parliament.