- Martial Law Declared and taken back: President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law, citing alleged collusion between the opposition and external forces to establish a communist regime. This move has heightened military activity and suspended political freedoms, drawing criticism domestically and internationally.
- Economic and Political Pressures: Facing a low approval rating (19%), unfulfilled economic promises, and allegations of corruption, President Yoon’s decision is seen by many as an attempt to consolidate power amidst mounting challenges.
- Parliamentary Pushback: The South Korean parliament voted to revoke martial law, potentially creating a constitutional crisis if the president resists compliance.
In a surprising turn of events, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law amid accusations that the opposition inside South Korea is colluding with external state forces to establish a communist regime. The president has also alleged that some members of parliament are North Korean sympathizers working toward this goal.
Following the declaration of martial law, military activities in South Korea have significantly increased. Tanks have been deployed in the capital, Seoul, and military helicopters are patrolling the skies. The military has sealed off the parliamentary gates, and all political activities in the country have been suspended. Anti-government protests are now prohibited, and all media outlets have been placed under government control.
The decision to impose martial law in South Korea has received extreme reactions. The opposition Liberal Democratic Party of Korea has criticized President Yoon Suk Yeol’s move, calling it undemocratic. Meanwhile, some members of the president’s own party have also expressed concerns, stating that such a measure is unprecedented and should not have happened. Additionally, some citizens are protesting outside the South Korean parliament, voicing their dissent against the imposition of martial law.
The question that now arises is how President Yoon Suk Yeol was able to suddenly impose martial law. The North Korean threat in South Korea is not new. To be precise, there have always been pro-North Korean sympathizers within the South Korean parliament. When President Yoon claims that some members of South Korea sympathize with the North Korean cause, this is not a new issue.
This move to impose martial law appears to be more of a pretext to secure his power. President Yoon’s approval rating has fallen significantly and currently stands at just 19%. Realizing that he could face impeachment if this trend continued, he seemingly used martial law as a means of retaining power. Multiple reports from South Korean media highlight the president’s failure to deliver on key promises.
When President Yoon was elected in May 2022, he pledged to tackle inflation, but inflation has remained stagnant. Unemployment has risen, job opportunities have declined, and the South Korean economy has stagnated. Furthermore, while he promised to take a strong stance against North Korea, the opposite has occurred. North Korean provocations against South Korea have reached historic levels, including continuous ballistic missile launches, maritime violations, and incidents such as the spy balloon scandal. North Korea’s recent strategic partnership with Russia has further compounded the challenges.
Additionally, there have been allegations of corruption involving the First Lady of South Korea. Reports suggest that a prominent businessman gifted luxurious items to the president’s wife in exchange for favourable deals from the government. This scandal has deeply angered the South Korean public and added to calls for President Yoon’s removal from office.
In this context, the imposition of martial law appears to be an attempt by President Yoon to save his presidency amidst mounting political and public pressure.
However, the South Korean parliament has voted to revoke martial law. As per the South Korean constitution, the president is obligated to comply with the parliament’s decision. If the president refuses, it would be considered unconstitutional, potentially leading to a serious legal and political crisis in South Korea.
This political turmoil has taken a significant turn and could create further instability in the country. It may also have ripple effects on other sectors in South Korea, further deepening the crisis.
References:
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/south-korean-president-yoon-suk-yeol-declares-emergency-martial-law-amid-political-turmoil/articleshow/115939881.cms
Aayush Pal is a freelance writer on contemporary geopolitical developments. The views expressed in his work are entirely his own.
Saisha Kamla Dudha 
Palak Dogra