South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Declares Martial Law in a Bid to Eliminate ‘Anti-State’ Forces

In an unexpected move late Tuesday, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, aiming to eliminate what he called “anti-state” forces within the country. This controversial action, which has sparked widespread political discord, comes as Yoon faces resistance from an opposition-controlled parliament and growing criticism over his handling of the nation’s political affairs.

In his televised speech, Yoon declared that the country was at risk of “falling into the depths of national ruin” and promised to “eradicate pro-North Korean forces” and protect South Korea’s constitutional democratic order. He vowed to bring about significant political and social changes, declaring, “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country.”

The martial law decree was issued amid ongoing political gridlock, with the opposition Democratic Party gaining substantial influence over the parliament. Yoon, whose approval ratings have dipped significantly, has struggled to pass key legislative measures and was recently locked in disputes with the opposition over the upcoming budget and various impeachment motions against prosecutors.

The president’s bold move took the country by surprise, harkening back to an era of authoritarian rule that South Korea had moved away from since the 1980s. Yoon’s declaration was aimed at curbing dissent, particularly from those he accused of sympathizing with communist North Korea.

However, the declaration of martial law was short-lived. Within hours, the National Assembly voted to lift it, with Speaker Woo Won Shik stating, “We will protect democracy with the people.” All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote unanimously supported the decision to overturn the martial law declaration.

Following the vote, military personnel and police forces who had been stationed at the National Assembly withdrew, and TV footage showed soldiers leaving the grounds. The situation had escalated to the point where helicopters were seen landing at the Assembly building, underscoring the gravity of the standoff.

Opposition leaders, including Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, condemned the declaration as “illegal and unconstitutional,” while Han Dong-hoon, leader of Yoon’s own conservative party, described it as a “wrong decision.” Yoon’s controversial actions sparked debates about South Korea’s political direction, with concerns that his decision could undermine the country’s democratic principles.

The declaration was the first of its kind since South Korea’s democratization in 1987, and the last martial law in the country was imposed in October 1979. South Korea has since prided itself on its democratic reforms, and the swift parliamentary vote to lift the martial law demonstrates the resilience of its democratic institutions.

Yoon’s military decree also sought to address ongoing strikes by South Korean doctors, who have been protesting government plans to expand medical school enrollment. The president called for striking doctors to return to work within 48 hours under the threat of arrest.

As South Korea grapples with the fallout from this unprecedented political development, the coming weeks will likely see more intense debates about the state of the nation’s democracy and its future political landscape. [with report from the Associated Press]