12/14/2024
On the night of December 3, 2024, at around 10:30 p.m., South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a national televised address. He justified the decision by citing threats from “North Korean communist forces” and accusing the opposition party of undermining the nation. The declaration granted sweeping powers to ban protests, dissolve political parties, and control the media.
Almost immediately, protests erupted outside the National Assembly, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the martial law and demanding Yoon’s resignation. Riot police and military personnel were swiftly deployed to manage the growing unrest, but the situation intensified as protesters confronted the security forces.
Amid this turmoil, opposition lawmakers, led by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, rushed to the National Assembly to overturn the martial law. Lee livestreamed his journey, urging citizens to protect democracy. Eventually, he scaled a fence to enter the Assembly building. Inside, lawmakers quickly assembled, overcoming barriers at the gates and securing a quorum despite clashes with armed soldiers. By 1:02 a.m., the National Assembly voted overwhelmingly—190-0—to annul the martial law, prompting the withdrawal of security forces.
In a second address at dawn, President Yoon acknowledged parliament’s decision to end the martial law but continued to blame the opposition for the nation’s political dysfunction. By 4:30 a.m., following an emergency Cabinet meeting, the martial law was officially lifted, bringing an end to a night of intense political drama and public resistance.
Despite the heavy confrontations between protesters, police, and military personnel, no deaths or injuries were reported. The swift and decisive actions of lawmakers to revoke the martial law, combined with the restraint shown by security forces, prevented further escalation and helped maintain order.
This episode marks a significant victory for South Korea’s democracy. The public protests and the swift parliamentary vote to annul the martial law demonstrate the strength of South Korean civil society and its commitment to upholding democratic values. The peaceful resolution, without casualties, reflects the maturity of South Korea’s democratic institutions and their ability to resolve political crises through collective action.
The events also highlight the importance of law enforcement restraint, which is very crucial in preventing violence and casualties. While South Korean security forces were heavily deployed and equipped with military-grade resources, their measured response likely helped avoid bloodshed. In contrast, the response to similar unrest in the U.S., such as the January 6 Capitol Hill riot, was often criticized for its initial lack of preparedness and subsequent use of force. If a comparable martial law situation had occurred in the U.S., the outcome could have been hugely different.