South Korean President Yoon Lifts Martial Law Amid Political Crisis

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced the reversal of a controversial martial law declaration just hours after its imposition, following a wave of political and public opposition. The declaration, which sought to curtail political activity and censor the media, marked the nation’s most severe political crisis in decades. Yoon’s decision came after parliament unanimously rejected the decree, prompting the cabinet to agree early Wednesday to scrap it, according to Yonhap news agency.

Protests erupted outside the National Assembly as demonstrators celebrated the decision. “We won!” protesters chanted, with one enthusiastically beating a drum. The opposition Democratic Party (DP) called for Yoon’s resignation or impeachment, accusing him of betraying the democratic principles of the nation. “Even if martial law is lifted, he cannot avoid treason charges,” stated senior DP lawmaker Park Chan-dae. “It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down.”

Danny Russel, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, described the situation as a political misstep for Yoon. “South Korea as a nation dodged a bullet, but President Yoon may have shot himself in the foot,” he remarked.

The announcement of martial law, initially declared on Tuesday night, caused financial market fluctuations. The South Korean won recovered from a two-year low against the dollar after the reversal, and exchange-traded funds linked to South Korean stocks saw reduced losses.

Yoon’s attempt to use martial law as a measure against what he called “anti-state forces” within his domestic opposition drew widespread criticism, including from his own People Power Party. Under South Korean law, the president is obligated to lift martial law if parliament demands it by a majority vote. The decree was overturned with 190 lawmakers opposing it.

This abrupt political turmoil in South Korea, a key U.S. ally and a significant Asian economic power, sparked international alarm. The crisis reminded many of the authoritarian practices that South Korea abandoned when it transitioned to democracy in the 1980s.

The White House expressed relief at Yoon’s decision to reverse the declaration. “We are relieved President Yoon has reversed course on his concerning declaration of martial law and respected the… National Assembly’s vote to end it,” a spokesperson said. Earlier, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell had voiced “grave concern” over the developments. The U.S., which maintains a force of approximately 28,500 troops in South Korea to counter North Korean threats, closely monitored the unfolding situation.

Yoon’s martial law declaration had granted sweeping powers to the military, including the authority to ban political activity, suppress media freedoms, and control parliament. Helmeted troops briefly attempted to enter the National Assembly, but parliamentary aides resisted by using fire extinguishers to block their advance.

Unlike past martial law declarations in South Korea, which were primarily responses to external threats, Yoon’s justification focused on his domestic political opponents. The move marked the first use of martial law in the country since 1980, during a period of military rule under Chun Doo-hwan, who used it to suppress pro-democracy movements.

Danny Russel warned that the crisis could lead to further instability. “Political uncertainty and domestic strife in South Korea is not our friend. Political uncertainty and domestic strife in South Korea is North Korea’s friend, however. You can be sure that North Korea is licking its chops,” he commented, highlighting the potential regional implications.

Yoon, a former prosecutor, narrowly won the presidency in 2022 in South Korea’s closest election to date. He campaigned on promises of economic reform and political change, capitalizing on public discontent over previous administration scandals and policy failures. However, his approval ratings have remained consistently low, hovering around 20%.

Earlier this year, Yoon’s People Power Party suffered a significant defeat in parliamentary elections, losing control of the unicameral assembly to opposition parties that secured nearly two-thirds of the seats. This defeat has limited his ability to govern effectively and exacerbated tensions with the opposition.

The political crisis underscores the fragility of South Korea’s democratic institutions in the face of executive overreach. The country, which has experienced more than a dozen instances of martial law since its establishment in 1948, has worked to distance itself from its authoritarian past. The 1980 martial law, imposed to suppress calls for democracy, remains a stark reminder of the consequences of undermining democratic governance.

While Yoon’s reversal of martial law has temporarily eased tensions, the political fallout may persist. Calls for his resignation or impeachment reflect widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership, raising questions about his ability to govern effectively moving forward. As South Korea navigates this tumultuous period, the nation’s commitment to democratic principles will likely face continued scrutiny.