South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol [DEMA(Defense Media Agency)]
On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in a late-night TV broadcast, citing “anti-state activities” and “threats posed by North Korea” as the primary reasons. This move, unprecedented in nearly 50 years, was aimed at crushing political opposition and restoring order. However, Yoon’s shocking decision was met with immediate backlash from both the public, where thousands of people gathered in protest, and the parliament, leading to its swift revocation just hours later.
WHY DID YOON MAKE THIS ORDER?
By way of background, martial law is temporary rule by military authorities when ordinary law is suspended and civilian decision-makers are deemed unable to function. According to Article 77 of South Korea’s constitution, the president may proclaim martial law when “required to cope with a military necessity or to maintain the public safety and order by mobilisation of the military forces in time of war, armed conflict or similar national emergency.”
Many speculate that the underlying reason for this drastic measure appears to be political desperation. Yoon, facing mounting pressure from the opposition Democratic Party and struggling to maintain his grip on power, saw martial law as a way to eliminate political adversaries and consolidate control. This can be seen by the timely decision after the opposition party pushed through a reduced budget bill in the parliamentary budget committee and filed impeachment motions against a state auditor and the chief prosecutor. For context, Yoon’s administration has been under immense threat from the opposition party, which controls the National Assembly, following the controversial handling of the April 2024 elections, where Yoon’s People Power Party (“PPP”) suffered a significant defeat.
The pressure was not just external. Within his own party, Yoon faced growing dissent. The ruling PPP, initially supportive, began to fracture as some members shifted their allegiance to the opposition. Thus, this internal strife further weakened Yoon’s position, making it increasingly difficult for him to govern effectively.
AFTERMATH OF THE ORDER
Beyond Yoon’s claims of “criminal groups” hijacking state affairs that were met with great skepticism, the public reaction to the sudden martial law declaration was swift and fierce. Protests erupted across the country demanding Yoon’s resignation and arrest. Meanwhile, the opposition parties called for Yoon’s impeachment, which passed on December 14. The impeachment motion accused Yoon of overstepping his constitutional authority and threatening the democratic order. With a growing number of ruling party lawmakers now supporting the motion, Yoon’s grip on power appeared increasingly tenuous.
Moreover, the attempted suicide of former Defense Minister, Kim Yong-hyun, a key figure in the martial law decision, added to the turmoil. According to the army’s Special Warfare Commander, Kim ordered the deployment of troops to “seize control” of six locations, including the parliament, the main opposition party’s headquarters, three offices of the National Election Commission and a polling firm run by a left-wing YouTuber. Kim became the first official to be arrested over Yoon’s martial law declaration, and his attempted suicide using a shirt and underwear at a detention center in Seoul underscored the chaotic and unilateral nature of Yoon’s decision-making process.
IMPACT ON THE TWO KOREAS’ RELATIONSHIP
Though short-lived, the martial law declaration has significant implications for South Korea’s relationship with its northern neighbor. The escalation of military presence and the martial law decree could be perceived by Pyongyang as a threatening move, potentially leading to heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea, which has a history of responding to perceived threats with aggressive rhetoric and actions, might even interpret South Korea’s martial law as a preparation for conflict, resulting in increased military activities along the border. This would be particularly alarming for South Korea, as the current political vacuum could mean that its government and military may be ill-prepared for any escalation in tensions with the North Korean regime.
Additionally, Pyongyang would likely interpret Seoul’s current chaos as a sign of internal conflict and seize this timing to assert its influence. North Korea’s state newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, mocked Yoon for allowing such “insane act” that is “akin to the coup d'etat of the decades-ago military dictatorship era” and described “The puppet Yoon Suk Yeol’s shocking decision to level his fascist guns and bayonets at his own people has turned the puppet South into pandemonium.” It also added that the opposition’s failed attempt to impeach Yoon after PPP boycotted the vote had turned South Korea into a “protest scene” while emphasizing how the developments in Seoul have “revealed the weakness in South Korean society.” As a result, the highlighted political instability in South Korea could weaken its position in diplomatic negotiations with North Korea and lead to a rise in propaganda efforts aimed at both domestic and international audiences to undermine the South’s stability.
IMPACT ON NORTH KOREAN DEFECTORS
Yoon’s impeachment might have tremendous effects on the daily lives of North Koreans living in South Korea. If the opposition party is elected and a warmer relationship with North Korea is pursued, this could mean that benefits for North Koreans could be cut, human rights violations overlooked, and an overall crackdown of defector activities. All were complaints the community had against the previous administration of president Moon Jae-In. President Moon had a warm relationship with North Korea and Kim Jong Un but this came at a cost. One of North Korea’s greatest points of contention is South Korea’s treatment of refugees from the North, which has worked to make the lives of North Koreans living in South Korea as uncomfortable as possible. The country has an active campaign of harassment towards defectors living in South Korea. The great irony of pursuing peace with North Korea is that often, the horrors experienced by defectors are often ignored.
