South Korea’s National Assembly unanimously voted to lift martial law within six hours of its declaration late Tuesday, forcing President Yoon Suk Yeol to back down amid widespread protests and condemnation.
In a late-night TV address on Tuesday, Yoon announced martial law across South Korea, citing threats from “communist” and “pro-North Korean” factions. The decree included strict prohibitions on political activities, control over media, and bans on strikes and protests. It also granted sweeping powers to the military, including the authority to arrest individuals without warrants.
Military forces quickly mobilized, with troops stationed outside the National Assembly and helicopters seen circling overhead. Lawmakers and civilians attempting to access the parliament clashed with security forces, while protesters gathered outside, chanting for Yoon’s impeachment.
South Korean soldiers are stationed outside the Parliament. Unbelievable to see how a democracy descends into a chaos and tyranny so fastpic.twitter.com/IZkRK6mxJe https://t.co/QBmQl1OaFv
— Guy Elster (@guyelster) December 3, 2024
Democratic Party chairman Lee Jae-myung: “We will not leave the Assembly Hall until the president officially ends martial law.”
Lee continued: “The martial law was invalid from the start, and the National Assembly has confirmed it. I urge the police and military to remember that… https://t.co/CwRCkZuN4A
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 3, 2024
The martial law declaration was met with fierce resistance from the opposition Democratic Party and even members of Yoon’s own People Power Party. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung denounced the move as unconstitutional and vowed to occupy the Assembly Hall until the martial law order was rescinded.
The parliament, controlled by the opposition, acted swiftly. In an emergency session, 190 lawmakers voted unanimously to nullify the declaration, while 110 members loyal to Yoon boycotted the vote.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik declared the martial law invalid, saying: “We will protect democracy with the people.” Shortly after the vote, military forces began withdrawing from the parliament grounds, and the declaration was formally rescinded during an early-morning Cabinet meeting.
The military is leaving the Parliament building after the vote to lift martial law passed – YTN https://t.co/w9aSEwwRPd pic.twitter.com/UjYU1IQjOZ
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) December 3, 2024
The declaration marked the first imposition of martial law in South Korea since 1980, during the military dictatorship of Chun Doo-hwan. Yoon’s move drew immediate comparisons to that era, sparking fears of authoritarian backsliding in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
Meanwhile, the White House expressed “serious concern” over the events in Seoul, emphasizing the importance of democracy in the U.S.-South Korea alliance. Pentagon officials confirmed that the martial law had no immediate impact on the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea, but American citizens were advised to avoid protest areas.
The martial law declaration comes amid escalating political tension in South Korea, including disputes over the 2025 budget bill and ongoing doctors’ strikes that have strained the healthcare system. Yoon, who took office in 2022, has also adopted a hardline stance on North Korea, raising concerns about his confrontational approach.
