In a historic and controversial move, President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea declared emergency martial law on December 3, 2024. This marks the first time the nation has seen martial law since 1979, a period that led to the Gwangju Uprising, a pivotal pro-democracy movement. The president’s decision has sparked intense political and public reaction, both domestically and internationally.
President Yoon announced the declaration in an emergency briefing, citing the need to suppress “anti-state forces.” He specifically accused opposition groups and their supporters of being “pro-North Korean leftist forces” that threatened national stability. Under the Martial Law Act, South Korea’s president has the authority to enact such measures to protect the constitutional order in times of crisis.
Martial law has a contentious history in South Korea, having been declared 12 times between 1948 and 1979, mostly during dictatorial regimes. It has often been criticized as a tool to consolidate power rather than address genuine crises. This recent declaration is the 13th in the nation’s history, raising concerns about the erosion of democratic freedoms.
Despite the heavy military presence, the National Assembly managed to hold a plenary session early on December 4, passing a resolution to demand the lifting of martial law. All 190 registered members unanimously approved the resolution, signaling strong political resistance.
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