Seoul,South Korea – A wave of anger and disbelief swept through South Korea on Wednesday following President Yoon Suk YeolS stunning,albeit unsuccessful,attempt to declare martial law. The pre-dawn proclamation sent shockwaves through the nation, leaving many citizens reeling from the sudden threat to their hard-won democracy.
as the winter sun rose, hundreds of defiant citizens gathered outside the National Assembly, their voices rising in protest against Yoon’s actions. Across the capital, similar rallies erupted, with demonstrators demanding the president’s resignation.
“I couldn’t sleep last night, watching the situation unfold in real-time. My heart was pounding with worry,” said son Jung-hee, who traveled from Gyeonggi province, an hour’s drive from Seoul, to join the protest. Clutching a handmade pink placard demanding Yoon’s impeachment, she expressed her profound disappointment.
“I feel ashamed. We thought Korean democracy had matured, but something this absurd happened,” she said. “Look at this precious daily life people are living – how could a president act against the will of his people like this?”
Son Jung-hee, like many others, viewed the National assembly as the “last line of defense” against authoritarianism and felt compelled to protect it. The events of the day served as a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of citizen vigilance.
The attempted declaration of martial law has sparked a national conversation about the limits of presidential power and the need to safeguard democratic institutions. As South Korea grapples with this unprecedented crisis, the world watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution that upholds the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
Seoul,South Korea – A wave of shock and condemnation swept through South Korea as President yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law,citing a threat from North Korea and “pro-North Korean anti-state elements.” The move, which saw hundreds of police officers deployed around the national assembly and military helicopters circling overhead, evoked chilling memories of the country’s authoritarian past.
For many South Koreans, the events of the past 24 hours felt surreal. “I witnessed the Gwangju Democratic Movement from start to finish,” said Cho Tae-ik, a man in his 60s, referring to the brutal 1980 pro-democracy uprising. “Democracy isn’t supposed to work like this. Trust between the people and the government is essential, but this administration has none of that.”
President Yoon justified his decision as necessary to “protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North korean communist forces” and to “eradicate pro-North Korean anti-state elements.” His rhetoric echoed the fearmongering tactics of past regimes and the controversial National Security Act, which has been used to silence critics under the guise of combating a North Korean threat.
While tensions with North Korea remain a serious concern, the notion of a significant ”pro-North” movement within South Korea is widely considered tenuous at best.
‘National Embarrassment’
Yoon’s declaration drew scathing criticism from across the political spectrum.even the conservative Chosun Ilbo newspaper,typically supportive of Yoon’s administration,published a scathing editorial,stating he had “severely crossed the line” and calling it a “national embarrassment” for a leading democracy.
“This was like a coup d’état,” said a Seoul university student who wished to remain anonymous. “I only thought these things were textbook history … I could have never imagined [this] … It’s humiliating.”
The declaration of martial law has sparked widespread protests, with citizens demanding Yoon’s resignation. The situation remains tense, raising concerns about the future of democracy in South Korea.
Son Jung-hee, who traveled to Seoul to protest, summed up the sentiment of many: “This is not the South Korea we fought for.”
South Korea is reeling after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief attempt to impose martial law,a move that has sent shockwaves through the nation and sparked widespread protests.
The crisis, which unfolded on December 4th, 2024, came as no surprise to some. Back in September, opposition lawmakers, including Kim Min-seok of the Democratic party, had sounded the alarm about Yoon’s pattern of appointing high school classmates to key security positions. These appointments, coupled with Yoon’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric against his critics, whom he labeled “anti-state forces,” raised concerns about a potential slide towards authoritarianism.
“The president doesn’t seem to understand the representative nature of the parties nor the national assembly,” said Min Hee Go, associate professor of political science at Ewha Womans University. “The nation will once again experiance a huge turmoil. Calls for resignation, or impeachment are in order.”
While opposition parties are demanding Yoon’s impeachment, the path forward is fraught with obstacles. They would need at least eight members of Yoon’s own party to reach the required two-thirds majority in parliament. Even then, the constitutional court, currently operating with only six justices rather of the usual nine, lacks the minimum seven judges needed to hear such a case.
Yoon’s administration has been plagued by scandals, including allegations that his wife, Kim Keon hee, accepted a luxury Dior bag as a gift from a pastor. Yoon and his supporters have dismissed these claims as politically motivated attacks.
International observers have expressed growing concern about democratic backsliding under Yoon’s leadership. The V-Dem Institute recently ranked South Korea 47th globally for liberal democracy, a significant drop from 28th last year and 17th in 2021. Civicus, a global civil society alliance, has also warned of shrinking civic freedoms since Yoon took office, citing actions that stifle media freedom and target trade unions.
“I don’t think the president knows how to address these pressures by political means – by deliberation, persuasion and dialogue,” Professor Go observed. “Given his background as the prosecutor general, he must have been surrounded by an extremely homogeneous group of people and worked his way up in a very rigid hierarchy. A very persecutory, black-and-white culture that vilifies and punishes dissent.”
For many South Koreans, the brief martial law attempt has confirmed their deepest fears about authoritarian tendencies within Yoon’s administration. Outside the national assembly, protester Son reflected on the uncertain future. “No one imagined this could happen again … But here we are, under the warm sunlight, having to defend our democracy once again.”
## A Nation in Shock: Expert Interview on Yoon’s martial Law Gambit
**Seoul, South Korea:** The attempted imposition of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol sent shockwaves through South Korea, triggering widespread protests and a deep sense of disillusionment.
World Today News sat down with Dr. Kang Min-soo, a leading expert on South Korean politics and democratization at Seoul National University, to analyze this unprecedented crisis.
**WTN:** Dr.Kang, how has the South Korean public reacted to President Yoon’s declaration of martial law?
**Dr. Kang:** The reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. There is a profound sense of disbelief and anger. People see this as a betrayal of the hard-fought democratic values South Korea has held dear. The images of citizens bravely standing against tanks and helicopters outside the National Assembly are a testament to the strength of this feeling.
**WTN:** President Yoon justified his actions by citing North Korean threats and “pro-North Korean” elements within South Korea. How have these claims been received?
**Dr. Kang:** These claims lack credibility. while tensions with North Korea remain a serious concern, the idea of a significant “pro-North” movement within South Korea is simply not substantiated. This rhetoric echoes the fearmongering tactics of past authoritarian regimes, and it truly seems designed to silence dissent rather than address legitimate security concerns.
**WTN:** What are the long-term implications of this event for South Korean democracy?
**Dr. Kang:** This event has deeply shaken public trust in institutions and democratic norms. It highlights the fragility of democracy and the critical need to safeguard against erosions of civil liberties. It’s vital that this incident serves as a wake-up call, prompting a broader conversation about the checks and balances necesary to prevent any future attempts to undermine democracy.
**WTN:** What steps can be taken to restore public trust and heal these divisions?
**Dr. kang:** President Yoon must take full duty for his actions and issue a sincere apology. He must also commit to upholding democratic principles and engage in a meaningful dialog with the opposition and civil society. This event underscores the importance of a vibrant and self-reliant media, robust civil society organizations, and a strong commitment to the rule of law.
**WTN:** what message do you think the international community should take from this event?
**Dr. Kang:** This incident serves as a stark reminder that democracy is not a given; it requires constant vigilance and active participation. The international community should express its strong support for South Korean democracy and its people’s right to freedom and self-determination. It’s also a time for democracies worldwide to reflect on the importance of upholding democratic values and institutions, both domestically and internationally.
**Thank you for your insights, Dr. Kang.**
This interview sheds light on the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a return to democratic norms in South Korea. The world will be watching closely as the nation grapples with the aftershocks of this troubling episode.
