South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on Tuesday, before being largely blocked by MPs. The opposition said “this is essentially a coup.”
South Korean leader Yoon Suk-yeol announced on Tuesday, December 3, that he would implement martial law in order to protect the country from “North Korean communist forces.” But a few hours later, the president announced the lifting of this exceptional measure, forced by a vote of South Korean deputies.
• Why did the South Korean president declare martial law?
In a televised address, Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on Tuesday. The goal, he said: “Protect liberal South Korea from threats posed by North Korean communist forces and eliminate anti-state elements.”
“Without concern for the livelihood of the people, the opposition party has paralyzed the government, for the purposes of impeachments, special investigations and to protect its leader from legal prosecution,” the president continued.
A six-point decree from the new martial law commander, army chief and General Park An-su, quickly followed, banning political activities and parties, “false propaganda”, strikes and “rallies”. which incite social unrest.
The decree also places all media outlets under martial law and orders all medical personnel, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours. A large military force was then deployed in the streets of Seoul with numerous soldiers and several armored vehicles.
This speech comes in the middle of a debate on the 2025 budget. Opposition deputies approved last week, through a committee, a considerably reduced budget program. The South Korean president accused opposition politicians of cutting “all budgets essential to the nation's primary functions.”
• How did the South Koreans react?
Many South Koreans gathered in front of Parliament in Seoul at the call of the opposition. The demonstrators remained there even after the decision to lift this exceptional measure. “Lift martial law, protect democracy,” the demonstrators chanted, according to a Reuters journalist present on the scene. According to the latter, the crowd called for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Hwang Un-ha, the leader of the Korea Reconstruction Party, shared his intention to push for an impeachment motion.
• How did the opposition react?
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, the majority in Parliament, called the president's actions “illegal” and called on people to gather in front of Parliament in protest. He estimated that “the economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irreparably.” Through a press release, the Democratic Party, which is the main opposition force, considered “that this is essentially a coup d'état.”
190 of the 300 deputies managed to join the National Assembly, despite the strong military presence. Elected officials, including members of the government camp, overwhelmingly rejected the establishment of martial law. A vote approved by the government, according to the Yonhap news agency. The soldiers present around the building then withdrew.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said troops, who had been mobilized to enforce martial law, had returned to base, restoring a sense of normalcy.
• What were the international reactions?
The brief establishment of martial law aroused fear in the international community until this exceptional measure was lifted. “It is our hope and expectation that the laws and standards of a particular country will be respected. This includes voting in the National Assembly” of South Korea, said Vedant Patel, deputy spokesperson for the Department of Defense. American State, during a press briefing.
The United States, which has nearly 30,000 troops in the country, was not informed in advance of the South Korean president's decisions. “We are following developments in South Korea closely and with great concern. Democracy must prevail,” declared the German Foreign Ministry. For its part, the UN said it was monitoring the situation in this country “very closely and with concern”.
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