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No Martial Law! Strike down dictatorship!

photo by Cho Jung-woo/Newsis/AP
South Korean martial law soldiers try to enter the National Assembly compound in Seoul. Cho Jung-woo/Newsis/AP
Written by Aparna Rawal

Mass protests erupted outside the South Korean parliament, shortly after President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a Marshal law to purge anti state elements.

On December 3rd, the South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol short lived Marshal law sent South Korea into a political disarray. His decree temporarily established military control in the country as troops and police were deployed to the National Assembly parliament building. Acting as a “president under siege”, to “crush anti-state forces”, president Yoon’s declaration sent ripples amongst his political party, allies and the opposition.  The South Korean politicians were quick to call Yoon's declaration “illegal and unconstitutional”. Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the conservative People's Power Party, which is Yoon’s own party, referred to the declared Marshal law as "the wrong move".

Following the presidential declaration, the military issued a decree - banning protests, parliamentary and political activities while resting the complete control of the media under the government.

Simultaneously, the leader from the opposition party, Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party, asked his MPs to converge at the parliament to vote against the declaration. He also called on South Koreans to come forth in protest at the parliament.

The call was answered by thousands of protesters who encircled the heavily guarded building demanding to "strike down dictatorship".

Soon after, at 01:00 hrs on Wednesday, South Korea's parliament, voted down the measure asserting the martial law invalid. Following the move by the National Assembly Yoon conceded and accepted to revoke the martial law through the Cabinet meeting.

photo by Cho Jung-woo/Newsis/AP
South Korean martial law soldiers try to enter the National Assembly compound in Seoul. Cho Jung-woo/Newsis/AP

President Under Siege: Yoon’s desperation

Yoon’s act of promulgating the announcement of the Marshal law has been speculated as his desperation to save his political career. Since April, his position has been rendered to that of a lame duck president after the opposition won by a landslide in the general election. This development proved difficult for his political government which was unsuccessful at passing their desired bills in the parliament and were forced to veto bills passed by the liberal opposition.

Additionally, his approval ratings have also taken a toss to 17% as a result of the many corruption scandals involving him. This included the scandal involving the First lady’s acceptance of a Dior bag and stock price manipulation.

The Dior controversy began in 2023 after a YouTube channel ‘Voice of Seoul’ published a video of the first lady, Kim Keon-hee accepting a Dior bag worth 3 million won ($2,200; £1,800). According to the South Korean law, the spouses of public officials are refrained from receiving any gift valued more than $750 in a single occasion especially if it is connected to public service.

Reports of resume padding also surfaced during Yoon’s presidential campaign and led Kim to offer a public apology. There were also accusations of academic plagiarism.

The Democratic Party has accused the Yoon government of redirecting decisions to benefit Kim’s family.

In November, the President made a formal apology on national TV, announcing that an office would be set up to supervise the First Lady’s responsibilities. But the opposition’s demand for a wider probe on the matter was dismissed.

Furthermore, the opposition’s proposition to cut down a major government budget bill along with its demand to impeach several cabinet members and prosecutors for their ineffectual role in investigating the first lady has added to Yoon’s worry.

It is speculated that the president’s desperation to call for a Marshal law stemmed from the urgency to salvage his political career. His declaration had the entire nation in a state of turmoil.

It is imperative to mention, the Marshall law was last imposed in 1979, post the assassination of Park Chung-hee during a coup.

This is the first time it has been invoked since South Korea became a parliamentary democracy in 1987.

It can be comprehended that act of revoking the Marshal law was an expected course of action as the majority voted against it in the parliament and in accordance with the South Korean law, the government must comply with the decision.

It is also possible, the move to declare the Marshal law was a counter measure to block the opposition’s demand for the removal of several law makers and prosecutors involved in the first lady’s investigation as the same law also proscribes the arresting of lawmakers when in place.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addressing the media at the presidential office in Seoul. South Korea Presidential Office/AP
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addressing the media at the presidential office in Seoul. South Korea Presidential Office/AP

Since President Yoon Suk Yeol’s terminated effort at declaring the martial law, the opposition Democratic Party has announced to commence the impeachment proceedings against Yoon if he doesn’t resign voluntarily.

The protesters from South Korea’s largest umbrella union has also called for Yoon’s resignation.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), has declared  a general strike as well until Yoon resigns.

Han Dong-hoon has called for the expulsion of the Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun and has demanded that the entire cabinet resign.

Senior aides of President Yoon Suk Yeol, including his Chung Jin-suk, the presidential chief of staff; National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik; and Sung Tae-yoon, chief of staff for policy, as well as seven other senior aides have offered an en masse resignation.

Since the backlash against President Yoon, his first scheduled public meeting after lifting a martial law order has been postponed as well. He was to preside over a drug response meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office.

Conclusion

President Yoon was viewed favourably by leaders in the West as a partner in the U.S.-led effort to counter the growing influence of China and Russia. However, despite the democratic stance presented by Yoon, he has been consistently criticized for his maladroit form of leadership.

Yoon’s political move comes at the time when Seoul prepares to balance its position before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who had been in discordance with Yoon’s predecessor, former President Moon Jae-in over trade and remunerating U.S. troops stationed in Korea.

According to Mason Richey, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul, Yoon’s move will affect South Korea’s international reputation and will negatively impact the financial and currency markets.

Under Yoon administration, South Korea has been reported to have fallen from 47th to 62nd position on the global press freedom index by Reporters Without Borders.

About the author

Aparna Rawal

Aparna Rawal is an independent research analyst and writer specializing in Af/Pak region and counter-terrorism. She was the former Editor-in-chief for Voice of Baloch. She possesses MA in International Relations and Diplomacy from Annamalai University, India.

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