2024 South Korean martial law crisis

2024 South Korean martial law

Date	3 December 2024 (2024-12-03) – present
Participants	Yoon Suk Yeol Park An-su

Martial law (Korean: 계엄; 戒嚴) was declared by South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol on 3 December 2024 during a late night address broadcast live on YTN television. In it, he accused the country's main opposition Democratic Party of sympathizing with North Korea and conducting "anti-state activities". It was ended by the National Assembly on 1:01AM, 4 December 2024.

Background

Yoon Suk Yeol, a member of the conservative People Power Party and former Prosecutor General of South Korea, took office as President of South Korea following his victory in the 2022 South Korean presidential election. His administration has had low approval ratings, and has struggled to achieve its agenda because parliament has been controlled by the opposition Democratic Party. In April 2024 South Korean legislative election, the opposition kept its grip, but still lacked the number (200 out of 300) to impeach the president.Yoon boycotted the opening of the National Assembly even though it is customary for the president to deliver a speech at the event. Yoon has also opposed investigations into scandals involving his wife Kim Keon-hee and top officials. The opposition-controlled parliament had recently moved to impeach some top prosecutors, and had rejected the government's budget proposal.

This was the first time martial law had been declared in South Korea since the 1979 military coup d'état after the assassination of the then South Korean dictator Park Chung-hee, and the first since democratization in 1987. This is the 17th martial declaration since the formation of the government in 1948. Members of the National Assembly are not given parliamentary immunity from prosecution and can be arrested if caught performing a crime. When initiating martial law, the president must immediately notify the National Assembly. Martial law can be annulled by a majority vote of the National Assembly.

Events

Declaration of martial law

On 3 December 2024, at 10:22 PM KST South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. In a nationally televised speech, Yoon accused the oppositon of "trying to overthrow the free democracy" by impeaching members of his cabinet and blocking his budget plans. He also asked citizens to believe in him and tolerate "some inconveniences." It was the first time that martial law had been declared in South Korea since 1979, during Chun Doo-hwan's military dictatorship. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, urged citizens to gather at the National Assembly and declared that Yoon "is no longer the president of South Korea"; protesters clashed with police outside the National Assembly. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik called for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly.

According to Yonhap News Agency, defense minister Shin Won-sik ordered a meeting with Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Kim Myung-soo. Yoon appointed Park An-su as his martial law commander.

First proclamation

On 3 December 2024 at 11:00 PM KST, Park An-su of the Martial Law Command issued the following first proclamation on martial law:

1. All political activities, including activities of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties, political associations, rallies, and demonstrations, are prohibited.
2. Any actions that deny or attempt to overthrow the liberal democratic system are prohibited, and fake news, manipulation of public opinion, and false propaganda are prohibited.
3. All media and publications are subject to control by the Martial Law Command.
4. Strikes, work stoppages, and assemblies that incite social unrest are prohibited.
5. All medical personnel, including residents, who are on strike or have left the medical field, must return to their regular duties within 48 hours and work faithfully, and any violations will be punished according to Martial Law.
6. Measures shall be taken to minimize inconveniences in the daily lives of good citizens, excluding anti-state forces and other forces that threaten to overthrow the liberal democratic system.

Annulment of martial law by National Assembly

On 4 December 2024 at 01:00 AM KST, the National Assembly voted unanimously to annul the martial law.

Impact

Following the announcement, the value of the South Korean won fell to 1,423 won per dollar, the lowest value in two years and one month. The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF decreased by 5%. Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF declined by 4.4% and Matthews Korea Active ETF fell 4.5%. Reuters reported that "A central bank official said it was preparing measures to stabilise the market if needed. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has convened an emergency meeting among top economic officials."

Reactions

Domestic reactions

People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon opposed the move, saying: "The president's martial law declaration is wrong. We will stop it along with the people." The Incheon City Party, a division of the Democratic Party, criticized the move as beginning an "era of Yoon dictatorship".

International reactions

The United States National Security Council stated that it was monitoring the situation closely.

The Chinese embassy in South Korea told its citizens in the country "to remain calm and pay attention to political changes". It asked them to "strengthen safety awareness, reduce unnecessary outings, and express political opinions with caution."Similarly, the Singapore embassy in South Korea made a Facebook post which called for Singaporeans in the country to "stay calm and monitor the news". The embassy also noted that the declaration of martial law "does not seem to be related to any military incursions."

See also

• May 16 coup
• October Restoration
• Coup d'état of December Twelfth