What is going on in South Korea?

Dec 4, 20243 min read

A quick note: I am not south korean I just aim to present information from a variety of sources and collect them into one document to aid in the enlightenment of atleast one individual. All sources will be linked below

On the 3rd of December, 2024 South Korea experienced a big shift in its political landscape: the declaration of martial law for the first time in over 40 years, an event that no one really saw coming. This unprecedented move, reminiscent of a turbulent chapter in South Korea’s history, has left the nation grappling with questions about its democratic integrity. What led to this decision, and what does it mean for the future? Let’s unpack what happened together and why it is a big deal despite being resolved in a “few hours”

What Happened?

Late into the night, as most South Koreans prepared to sleep, President Yoon Suk Yeol delivered an announcement that sent shockwaves through the nation. The reason for this decision? A response to the apparently escalating threats from North Korea The president also accused the opposition party of being "anti-state forces."

This declaration marked the first use of martial law in South Korea since the 1980s which history can prove was a period defined by authoritarian rule and the fight for democracy. The suddenness of this major announcement plunged the nation into chaos and uncertainty.

So what is the “Martial Law?”

Martial law is a state of emergency that temporarily replaces civilian governance with military authority. It grants sweeping powers to the military, sidelining democratic institutions and civil liberties. Key some of the features include:

The President assuming military command of the nation.
Suspension of political activities.
Military enforcement of laws, often without oversight.

It is important to remember that the martial law was designed for national emergenciesMartian law goes against the very principles of democracy, the current type of government south korea is under

Historical Context

For South Koreans, martial law evokes memories of a disturbing time period since the last documented declaration occurred in the 1980s under Chun Doo-hwan's authoritarian regime. Mass protests, led by students and workers, erupted nationwide as citizens demanded democratic reforms. The scars of that trouble filled time remain deeply rooted into South Korea's collective consciousness, making this recent declaration particularly alarming.

Effects on the country

The announcement of martial law set off dramatic and chaotic scenes at the National Assembly:

Military forces sealed off the parliamentary building.
Soldiers who were armed with guns occupied the premises, and helicopters hovered over the area, landing on the Assembly’s roof.
Thousands of citizens gathered in protest outside the government building, uniting in the late hours of night, demanding President Yoon’s resignation

The Aftermath

Despite the military’s presence, Parliament pushed through a unanimous vote to block the martial law declaration. By 4:30 a.m., faced with mounting pressure, President Yoon reversed his decision, withdrawing military forces (and allegedly locked himself in his own office)

The fallout has been swift:

The Democratic Party has vowed to impeach Yoon, accusing him of treason.
Opposition leaders have promised accountability for all soldiers who enforced martial law.

Why this matters and my Opinions

Those who dismiss the situation because it "wrapped up" quickly are undermining the efforts of the citizens and politicians who, even in the middle of the night, rose to defend the people's rights without hesitation. The fact that had it not been for these people the situation would have been extremely dangerous for the entire country and it shows how politicians do indeed have a lot of power and have the ability to make quick, life altering decisions for the country. It is imperative that we be aware as a society about the happening around the world not just due to empathy but also because with how interconnected the world is one country’s events will affect the rest of the world