On dec 3rd Yoon Suk-yeol made a bold-but-failed try to take control of South Korea using martial law; the attempt didnt last even a day. The National Assembly fast-tracked its rejection making the president back down
The self-made crisis started when Yoon declared emergency rule citing a budget fight with parliament (where his party lost big in spring elections). He called the opposing Democratic Party “pro-North anti-state forces“ which shows his cold-war style thinking
Constitutional Article 77 lets presidents use martial-law for emergencies: but it needs real danger not just political games. Army chief Park An-soo tried blocking the Assembly and media work - which goes against the law itself. The Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung called everyone to protect the parliament building
The move will give more power to the opposition – which looks good for winning in 2027
The peoples reaction was quick: big crowds formed human-walls against soldiers. Many remember the dark days of 1980s martial-law when the army hurt protesters in Gwangju. South Koreans know how to protest well after:
- Past fights with military rule
- Years of anti-US base protests
- Big 2017 protests that removed president Park
Han Dong-hoon and other members of Yoons party turned against him making the vote 190-to-0 against martial law. With approval ratings under 20% and facing corruption claims Yoon now faces likely impeachment; his US-friendly policy on Japan ties might not survive either