South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday, December 3, marking the first such declaration since 1979. Yoon justified the decision by accusing opposition lawmakers of “anti-state activities,” claiming they were sympathetic to pro-North Korean forces.
In a late-night televised address, President Yoon vowed to eradicate what he described as “anti-state forces,” specifically targeting the opposition Democratic Party. The decree suspends political activities and grants the government control over media and publications, sparking domestic and international alarm. Authorities shut down the National Assembly, dominated by the opposition, and blocked access to the building with police. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik urged lawmakers to gather and respond, but the assembly remains under lockdown.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional order,” President Yoon said. He called the opposition’s actions, specifically their attempt to impeach top prosecutors and block legislative proposals, a direct threat to the nation’s democratic system.
The decree, Martial Law Command Decree No. 1, bans all political activities, including assemblies, demonstrations, and legislative functions. It also strictly controls media and publications, which has drawn criticism from political figures and activists who fear a return to authoritarian rule.
President Yoon’s action comes after a period of extreme political deadlock. The opposition Democratic Party has questioned the president’s legislative agenda, which includes a contentious budget proposal. The opposition has also demanded probes into alleged corruption involving Yoon’s wife and top officials, escalating tensions.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, condemned the declaration as “illegal and unconstitutional.” He vowed to resist, urging citizens to defend South Korea’s democracy. Similarly, the leader of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, disagreed with the decision, labeling it “wrong” and vowing to “stop it with the people.”
The United States, with approximately 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, has been closely observing the situation, voicing concerns over its impact on the nation’s democratic stability. Meanwhile, South Korean financial markets showed signs of distress, as the Korean won dropped significantly against the U.S. dollar.
This is the first declaration of martial law in South Korea since the country’s democratization in 1987, marking the most significant political crisis in recent years. As the situation develops, concerns are mounting over the future of the nation’s democratic stability.
