South Korea’s President withdraws martial law amid political uproar
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol rescinded a shock declaration of martial law on Wednesday, just hours after imposing it. The reversal came after the National Assembly voted to deem the move “illegal and invalid,” prompting Yoon to announce the withdrawal of troops and the lifting of martial law through a cabinet meeting.
In a televised address, Yoon stated, “We will accept the National Assembly’s request and lift martial law,” marking a dramatic shift in a situation that had escalated rapidly since Tuesday night.
Martial Law Declaration and Justification
Yoon’s initial declaration of martial law accused the opposition of being “anti-state forces” and cited threats from North Korea as justification. He claimed the measure was necessary to safeguard South Korea’s liberal democracy and eliminate elements he described as plundering the nation’s freedom.
The imposition of martial law saw military units placed on high alert, with Army Chief Gen Park An-su appointed as martial law commander. Restrictions were swiftly imposed, including a ban on political activities and actions perceived as undermining the democratic system.
Yoon criticized the opposition-led National Assembly, labeling it a “haven for criminals” and accusing it of paralyzing the judicial and administrative systems.
Swift Political Pushback
The martial law announcement sparked outrage among lawmakers and citizens. Protesters gathered outside the National Assembly, chanting slogans such as “Arrest Yoon Suk Yeol,” while helicopters and troops briefly entered the assembly building.
By early Wednesday, 190 lawmakers convened to unanimously pass a motion demanding the lifting of martial law. Under South Korea’s constitution, such a motion mandates the termination of martial law.
Budget Dispute and Declining Approval
The crisis stems partly from a heated budget dispute between Yoon’s People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority. The opposition recently slashed approximately 4.1 trillion won ($2.8 billion) from Yoon’s proposed budget, targeting allocations for his office, law enforcement, and other agencies.
The turmoil follows a decline in Yoon’s approval rating, which fell to 19% in a recent Gallup poll amid public dissatisfaction with his handling of economic issues and controversies involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
International Reactions
The United States expressed “grave concern” over the developments, while China urged its nationals in South Korea to remain cautious. Britain also stated it was closely monitoring the situation.
A Turning Point in South Korea’s Democracy
The martial law declaration, South Korea’s first in over 40 years, has been widely criticized as an attempt to reverse democratic progress. Experts, including Professor Vladimir Tikhonov of the University of Oslo, have described the move as an effort to undermine the country’s civil society.
While Yoon defended his actions as necessary to protect the nation, his rapid reversal signals the strength of South Korea’s democratic institutions and public resistance to authoritarian measures.
