Yoon Suk Seol was elected as South Korea’s thirteenth president in 2022, winning 48.56% of the vote as he represented the conservative People Power Party (PPP) in what was the closest margin of victory in South Korean electoral history. In the 2024 parliamentary elections however the opposing Democratic Party won a landslide with 175 seats while the PPP won just 108, a result that has left President Yoo often being labelled as a “lame duck” president.
Yoon’s approval ratings have plummeted in response to corruption scandals regarding him and his wife, accusations of covering up deaths of soldiers and using a presidential veto to block investigations into the matter. Yoon has also faced allegations of media suppression, with the Swedish V-Dem institute reporting South Korea dropping in its Liberal Democracy Index, with the country’s placement in the World Press Freedom Index also falling from 47th to 62nd.
On the 3rd of December 2024 Yoon gave a presidential address in which he accused the Democratic Party of anti-state activities, collaboration with North Korean communists, and subsequently declared martial law – the first time this had occurred in the nation since 1980. The move was met with immediate and widespread backlash from both political parties, as well as concern from international allies, none of whom were warned about the declaration.
‘On the 3rd of December 2024 Yoo gave a presidential address in which he accused the Democratic Party of anti-state activities, collaboration with North Korean communists, and subsequently declared martial law – the first time this had occurred in the nation since 1980.’
In response the National Assembly held an emergency session at 1 am in the morning, with the 190 lawmakers who were present voting unanimously to lift martial law. Online footage has shown soldiers trying to break into the main hall where voting takes place, as well as helicopters and armoured military vehicles on the streets. Simultaneously lawmakers had to overcome the police barricade in order to enter the chambers, with Democratic Party member Lee Jae-myung live streaming himself climbing over a 1.5 metre fence to gain access.
At 4:30 am in the morning Yoo put out another televised address in which he announced he would comply with the wishes of the parliament, and martial law was subsequently lifted. Public protests – which had started immediately after Yoon’s declaration – continued to be held in Gwanghwamun Square and across cities in South Korea.
The move, which many suspect was an effort to avoid impeachment, can be seen to have massively backfired on President Yoon. Many officials under Yoon, including his Chief of Staff and Defence Minister, tendered their resignations and a Supreme Court investigation has also been ordered.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions has also called for an indefinite strike until Yoon is out of office, resulting in South Korean shares dropping in value for a second straight day. Calls for impeachment proceedings have also been made, with the Democrat Party stating their intent to table the motion if Yoon does not step down, a sentiment echoed by approximately 190 lawmakers across the opposition parties.
