South Korean president's power grab ends in total defeat after just one day
South Korean leader tried to take control using martial law but faced immediate rejection from parliament and public Its a rare case when attempted self-coup lasted less than 24 hours
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
