Martial law

2024 - 12 - 3

Martial Law in South Korea: A Presidential Power Play or Political Panic?

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President Yoon Suk Yeol's unexpected martial law declaration has sent shockwaves through South Korea. Let’s explore the chaos that ensued!

In a move that caught the nation off guard, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law during a dramatic late-night TV address. Extraordinarily, he claimed the decision was necessary to protect the country from so-called "anti-state forces"—specifically targeting his opposition as being sympathetic to North Korea. The declaration sparked immediate backlash from lawmakers across the spectrum, with some members of Yoon's own party openly condemning the action and raising concerns about the implications for democracy in South Korea.

Opposition members in the National Assembly quickly rallied to reverse Yoon’s controversial declaration, voting unanimously to lift the martial law and restore civil freedoms. Many South Koreans watched incredulously as their elected representatives swiftly defied their leader in defense of democratic principles. The whole situation presented an alarming echo of the authoritarian era that the country has worked diligently to move away from since the 1980s, stirring fears of a constitutional crisis that could unravel hard-won democratic values.

What led to Yoon's drastic move? In part, it appears to stem from alarming drop in his popularity in recent polls amidst mounting tensions with the opposition over various political issues. With claims of pro-North Korean sentiment being utilized to stoke fears among the electorate, Yoon’s martial law declaration seemed more a desperate attempt at consolidating power than an actual necessity for national security. The lack of ground support from his party indicated that Yoon may have miscalculated the political landscape entirely.

As the dust settles, South Korean citizens are left questioning the motives behind the president's tactical maneuver. Some say it was a political panic triggered by declining popularity, while others suggest it was a calculated attempt to lash out against adversaries. Nevertheless, the scene has ignited public discourse around the need for accountability and checks to power, encouraging citizens to guard their democratic freedoms closely. Furthermore, did you know that South Korea has seen martial law only a couple of times since its transition to democracy? Each instance serves as a critical reminder of the delicate balance between authority and liberty—a lesson that continues to resonate today! In more recent years, public protests have often played a pivotal role in shaping political outcomes; indeed, the current political scenario emphasizes the significance of civic action in safeguarding democratic integrity, a true testament to the resilience and spirit of the South Korean people.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Why has South Korea's president suddenly declared martial law? (BBC News)

The move - invoking temporary military rule - has been roundly condemned by opponents and some within his own party.

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Image courtesy of "NPR"

South Korea's lawmakers vote to lift president's martial law declaration (NPR)

South Korean lawmakers voted unanimously to reverse President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of an "emergency martial law" on Tuesday. Yoon had accused the ...

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Image courtesy of "Business Day"

South Korea parliament rejects president's martial law declaration (Business Day)

Yoon Suk Yeol's move, which he cast as aimed at his political foes, was vocally opposed even by the leader of his own party.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

South Korea gripped by uncertainty as MPs defy president's ... (The Guardian)

South Korea's National Assembly has passed a resolution demanding that the president, Yoon Suk Yeol, revokes his sudden declaration of martial law, leaving the ...

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Image courtesy of "Voice of America"

South Korean parliament votes to lift president's declaration of ... (Voice of America)

Yoon Suk Yeol accuses the opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and paralyzing the government with anti-state activities.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

South Korean president declares martial law | CNN (CNN)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unannounced late-night TV address, saying the move was necessary to protect the country from ...

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Image courtesy of "PBS NewsHour"

South Korean parliament defies president, lifts declaration of ... (PBS NewsHour)

The surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the ...

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Image courtesy of "eNCA"

South Korea president declares martial law (eNCA)

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday declared martial law, accusing the opposition of being "anti-state forces" and saying he was acting to ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

South Korea martial law: How did we get here? (Aljazeera.com)

The surprising move comes as President Yoon Suk Yeol popularity in recent polls plummeted.

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Image courtesy of "The Economist"

Martial law in South Korea. Next, a constitutional crisis? (The Economist)

A rash, unexpected move by Yoon Suk Yeol, the president, bodes ill for democracy | Asia.

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Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

South Korean president declares martial law in shock late-night ... (POLITICO.eu)

President Yoon Suk Yeol said the move was “aimed at eradicating pro-North Korean forces.”

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

South Korea's president lifts martial law in the face of united opposition (The Guardian)

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late on Tuesday amid a dispute with opposition parties he accused of pro-North Korean sympathies and anti-state ...

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Image courtesy of "Sky News"

Why was martial law declared in South Korea? (Sky News)

South Korea's president has said he will lift martial law after a night of angry protests. MPs earlier voted to block the leader's shock move, ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

South Korea president says he will lift martial law, hours after decree ... (CNN)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said he would lift a martial law order, just hours after his decree plunged the country into political uncertainty and ...

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Image courtesy of "Amnesty International"

South Korea: Martial law must not be used to restrict human rights (Amnesty International)

Responding to the declaration of emergency law by South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol, Amnesty International's East Asia Researcher Boram Jang said: “The ...

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Image courtesy of "CBS News"

South Korea lifts martial law order after parliament voted to defy ... (CBS News)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law set off a tense night in which troops surrounded parliament.

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Image courtesy of "The Economist"

Martial law in South Korea—and then not. What comes next? (The Economist)

A rash, unexpected move by Yoon Suk Yeol, the president, tests South Korean democracy | Asia.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Political chaos in South Korea: what is martial law and what comes ... (The Guardian)

South Korea's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, on Tuesday declared martial law, blasting the opposition as “anti-state forces” threatening the country's democracy. The ...

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Image courtesy of "POLITICO.eu"

Korea's Yoon, backpedaling, promises to lift martial law (POLITICO.eu)

Yoon's reversal came just hours after his martial law announcement, following a unanimous parliamentary vote against the decision.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

South Korea's history of coups and martial law – explained in 30 ... (The Guardian)

South Korea has only been governed democratically since 1988, with a previous history of military-authoritarian rule dating back to the Korean war.

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Image courtesy of "Financial Times"

South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol lifts martial law order (Financial Times)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has lifted his order to impose martial law, triggering calls for him to resign after a shortlived political gamble that ...

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Image courtesy of "The Conversation AU"

South Korea had martial law for 6 hours. Why did this happen and ... (The Conversation AU)

On Tuesday night, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sent shockwaves through the world by declaring martial law in the country.

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Image courtesy of "ING Think"

South Korea: Outlook rocked by martial law declaration (ING Think)

In a stunning political event overnight, South Korea's president declared martial law for the first time since 1979. Later, the National Assembly voted to ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

South Korea martial law crisis: What's next for president Yoon? (Aljazeera.com)

South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol called for martial law and then backed down. Here is what we know.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

The troubled history of martial law, coups and toppled presidents ... (CNN)

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a speech to declare martial law in Seoul, South Korea, on December 3, 2024. The Presidential Office/Reuters.

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

South Korea has been plunged into uncharted waters after an ... (CNN)

South Korea is reeling after a whiplash eight hours during which the country's embattled president declared martial law but was forced to lift it amid ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

South Korea's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, facing impeachment after ... (The Guardian)

Opposition parties submit motion to impeach Yoon after his shock bid to put South Korea under martial law for first time in over four decades.

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Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

South Korea's martial law crisis stirs memories of 1980 Gwangju ... (The Washington Post)

In the uncertain hours early Wednesday, many recalled the nation's last martial law, which came after a coup installed a military dictator and triggered a ...

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Image courtesy of "Forbes"

The South Korea Martial Law Memes, Explained (Forbes)

The country's president, Yoon Suk Yeol, declared martial law and sent the armed forces into the streets of Seoul. Around six hours after this happened, the ...

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Image courtesy of "Business Day"

South Korean president faces impeachment after martial law debacle (Business Day)

Seoul — South Korean legislators submitted a bill on Wednesday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol after he declared martial law and reversed the move hours ...

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

South Korea martial law: The six hours that shook the country (BBC News)

A recap of a dramatic night that saw South Koreans rush to overturn the president's shock martial law order.

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Martial law came to South Korea – and my friends and I ... (The Guardian)

Since the separation of the Koreas in 1953, our elders have experienced the suspension of normal civil rights many times. But for the younger generation, ...

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Image courtesy of "CNN"

South Korea martial law 'a painful reminder of how easily democracy ... (CNN)

Candle-lit vigils and rallies were held across South Korea on Wednesday, a nation outraged and frustrated by the president's surprise declaration of martial ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

How South Korea woke up to the shortest martial law in history (Aljazeera.com)

And how a nation quashed its first attempted coup in more than 40 years, in just a matter of hours.

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Image courtesy of "Vox"

The South Korean president's stunning martial law decree, explained (Vox)

South Korea is in the grip of a political crisis after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday — a shocking move that sparked mass protests and ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

South Korea's long history of martial law – and impeachments (Aljazeera.com)

Calls to impeach President Yoon grows after he was forced to reverse his decision to impose martial law in South Korea.

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Image courtesy of "The Conversation AU"

What South Korea's short-lived martial law says about nation's ... (The Conversation AU)

In the space of just a few hours, South Korea looked to be backsliding toward autocratic rule.

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