Ever since the impeached President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, declared Martial Law on 3rd December, 2024, it has been more than one month of drama regarding South Korea Martial Law. Authorities failed to arrest him early in December as they confronted hundreds of presidential security individuals.
A standoff between rival government forces outside the South Korean presidential residence. This has been baffling even for those used to the country’s infamous rough-and-tumble governances.
For more than one month, the impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol has remained inside the presidential abode. He refused to get arrested and was taken for questioning and search warrants. Scuffles broke out late the previous week as dozens of investigators were stopped from entering the compound by hundreds of presidential security guards.
What Prompted Yoon to Declare the Martial Law?
It all started when Yoon declared Martial Law at midnight on 3rd December 2024. It was quite an unprecedented event in the history of South Korea. Ever since the country became democratic in 1987, this has never happened.
Yoon’s justification was that he was protecting the country from “anti-state” forces that sympathized with North Korea. But the reality was far from the truth. The truth came out soon, shedding light on his personal agenda and propaganda for declaring South Korea Martial Law.
Since taking office in May 2022, he has been weathered low ratings and scandals. Last year, he became president after the main opposition Democratic Party won by a huge margin in the general election. He was brought down to vetoing bills passed by the opposition, a tactic that they used with “unprecedented frequency,” says Celeste Arrington, director of The George Washington University Institute for Korean Studies.
Prior to Yoon declaring South Korea Martial Law, the opposition slashed the budget his government had proposed. They were also moving to impeach cabinet members for failing to investigate first lady Kim Keon Hee, who was embroiled in scandal.
After facing all these difficulties and issues, Yoon ended up imposing South Korea Martial Law, reportedly after getting advice from the ad senior aides.
However, the imposition of South Korea Martial Law sparked public anger and protests nationwide.
MPs voted down the declaration, breaking barricades and climbing fences to enter the heavily guarded National Assembly.
Lawmakers across the governmental spectrum decried the move as unconstitutional. Even the then-leader of Yoon’s conservative People’s Power Party called it “wrong.”
Tens of thousands of people protested for Yoon’s removal from office. They endured the chilly temperatures for days and nights.
“No martial law!” the protestors shouted. “Strike down dictatorship!”
What is Martial Law?
Martial Law is imposing military control and government over a civilian government. This law is mainly imposed during emergencies like civil unrest, natural disasters, war or some other emergency. This law removes normal civil rights by implementing military authority to manage crises or restore order.
Under the Martial Law, various civil rights are restricted. Rights like habeas corpus, assembly, and freedom of speech are not allowed to be practiced. This is imposed as a temporary measure to address some particular issue, which is not a long-term government solution. The varied application of this law makes it quite useful during the emergency situation.
What Happened Afterward – South Korea Martial Law?
The opposition lawmakers filed a motion to impeach Yoon – which required a two-thirds majority to pass.
Having 192 of 300 seats in hand, they still needed eight PPP members to vote for impeachment. But Yoon’s party members ended up boycotting it and walking out of the chamber in groups.
However, the opposition was relentless and persistent in their efforts. They vowed to file an impeachment motion every week until it passed. The attempt on 14 Dec was successful, with 12 members of Yoon’s party voting for impeachment alongside the opposition.
Yoon was suspended from office. At present, he is awaiting the constitutional court’s decision. The court must decide within six months of the impeachment vote. Experts on the matter are expecting that judges will give a verdict by February 2025.
If Yoon is removed, the country must hold an election within the next 60 days to elect a new leader. DP leader Lee Myung is the frontrunner by a large margin in opinion polls.
Meanwhile, the chaos continues in the South Korean landscape.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Yoon’s successor, who had stepped in as acting president, has been impeached too. The opposition accused him of stalling Yoon’s impeachment process. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is now acting prime minister and acting president.
Several of Yoon’s presidential aides and former cabinet ministers have resigned after implementing the South Korea Martial Law fiasco on 3 Dec. Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) has successfully detained some. The CIO is investigating Yoon for inciting an insurrection and abusing his power with a South Korea martial law order.
Among those detained is former defense minister Kim Yong-Hyun, who reportedly suggested the martial law declaration to Yoon. Kim had tried to take his own life while in detention.
What are the Latest Updates – South Korea Martial Law?
Police and different government agencies are working together to detail Yoon as soon as possible. Several dozens of investigators from police and government agencies did not manage to arrest Yoon to take him into custody last week. They had a standoff with the president’s security service.
Yoon has remained defiant throughout, refusing multiple summonses to appear for questioning, leading a Seoul court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
On 3 January, about 100 police and CIO officers went up against the president’s security team at his home in central Seoul.
Finally, the CIO suspended operations after a six-hour standoff, citing safety concerns for its team on the ground.
Investigators have until 6 January to arrest him before the warrant expires. After that, they would need to apply for another warrant to detain him.
The acting president has pledged to do all he can to restore stability, but if the opposition finds him uncooperative, they could move to impeach him.
More Points – South Korea Martial Law
It’s been an unprecedented month in South Korea. Yoon is the first sitting president to face arrest and what comes next remains unclear.
Financial markets have reacted badly—at the end of December, the South Korean won plunged to its lowest level against the dollar since the global economic crisis of 2008.
South Korea is one of the world’s most important economies and a crucial US ally – so turmoil on its shores is unwelcome on many fronts.
Court warrants were issued to detain Yoon Suk Yeol, enabling the authority to go to his residence. The warrants were supposed to expire on Monday, but the anti-corruption agency urging a new warrant to extend the window for Yoon’s detention.
Yoon has been refusing to surrender and appear for questioning for his martial law decree on 3 December 2024. He justified his decision as a necessary act of governance against the liberal position, which opposed his agenda with the legislative majority. As a result, he has stood his ground to fight all the efforts to oust him.
Conclusion – South Korea Martial Law
Imposing South Korea Martial Law has created nationwide criticism. Publics and individuals are throwing outcry against the impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol. Despite all the efforts from police and government agencies, the concerned authorities have not been able to arrest Yoon yet. It is yet to be seen for how long he would be able to repel his arrest.
A lot depends on his arrest. After his official removal and arrest, a new election is to be held in South Korea within the next few months to elect the next President. This is how the present governmental chaos and turmoil could be resolved. Only time will tell what will happen next after the present toil regarding South Korea Martial Law implementation by Yoon.
FAQs – South Korea Martial Law
What is Martial Law?
Ans: Martial law is the implementation of the military law and controls over the normal civilian functions. This law restricts the regular rights and things of citizens like habeas corpus.
When was the Korean Martial Law Implemented for the First time since 1987?
Ans: The impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeo, will implement Martial Law at the midnight of Dec 3, 2024. This was the first time this law was imposed in this country ever since Korea became a democratic country.
What Happened in South Korea in Recent Times?
Ans: South Korea has been going through governmentall turmoil and drama in recent times ever since the impeached president Yoon declared Martial law on 3rd Dec 2024. This is what happened in South Korea.
Why was Martial Law in South Korea Declared in 2024?
Ans: The impeached president, Yoon, declared this law for his personal agenda and propaganda. It was due to his ulterior motive for staying in power despite his competency.
What were the Reactions from the General Public against the Martial Law Declaration?
Ans: There has been a huge public outcry against the declaration of Martial Law by Yoon. People are protesting against and demanding the resignation or arrest of the impeached president, Yoon.
