South Korean president's midnight power grab ends in embarrassing failure
A dramatic six-hour martial law declaration in South-Korea turned into a political disaster. President Yoons attempt to seize control was stopped by quick-thinking lawmakers who managed to vote despite military presence
In a shocking late-night move President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in South-Korea‚ but his power-grab lasted only six hours before falling apart. The warning signs were there: legislator Kim Min-seok had predicted this scenario back in August‚ though many thought it far-fetched
The dec-3 announcement came at 10:23pm‚ when Yoon claimed the Democratic Party made parliament “a monster“ (due to their 22 impeachments against his officials). He quickly appointed Gen. Park An-soo to lead the Martial Law Command; armored vehicles and choppers appeared in Seoulʼs streets
The scene brought back memories of South-Koreas dark past — the last martial law in late-70s led to mass killings in Gwangju. Nobel prize winner Han Kang wrote about those events in “Human Acts“; its particularly relevant now as shes scheduled to give her acceptance speech next week
The coup attempt showed poor planning: TV stations werent controlled‚ internet stayed up‚ and opposition leaders kept posting on social media. Most military and police units didnt follow orders; even Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun who suggested the idea couldnt get broad support
- Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung climbed walls to enter parliament
- Democratic spokesperson Ahn Gwi-ryeong fought soldiers bare-handed
- Lawmakers used fire extinguishers to keep troops out
- 190 assembly members voted to end martial law
At 4:27am‚ a defeated Yoon lifted the order. His political future looks grim — impeachment seems likely since even 18 members of his own party voted against him. South-Korean democracy proved strong‚ but conservatives reputation took another hit after their second president faces removal in less than a decade
